Urawa Reds could be crowned MEIJI YASUDA J1 League first stage winners on matchday 16 next Saturday, if certain results are fulfilled.

The current league leaders have opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the table, and can be declared victors even if they fall to their first defeat of the season at Vissel Kobe.

However, defending champions Gamba Osaka, who enjoy a game in hand, must not beat Vegalta Sendai at home for Mihailo Petrovic’s side to seal victory.

Last year’s runners’ up moved closer to their objective when they ground out a 1-0 win over Shimizu S-Pulse last Sunday, while Gamba could only draw with Vissel.