Can Kashiwa Reysol stay perfect?

Kashiwa Reysol ended Matchweek 2 on top of the table and are the only side to have won all their matches. They did so by taking all three points in two difficult contests - winning away at Shonan Bellmare and then defeating Yokohama F·Marinos.

This weekend, Reysol face another tough task - a trip to Kashima Antlers. The Kashima attack is deadly and will require Reysol’s defense play at a top level. Their attack, led by Douglas and Tomoya Koyamatsu, will need to take their chances too. Can Reysol do it and keep their perfect record?

Urawa and Vissel try to get back on track

Urawa Reds won the Emperor’s Cup last season after a strong second half and Vissel finished in a club-record third place, putting them both into the AFC Champions League. Things have not gone according to plan this year, though. They’ve played four matches apiece but neither has won, with Urawa managing just one draw and Vissel two.

Neither Urawa nor Vissel have defended very well, as both have given up six goals. They need to sort out their defenses to get back on track and they need to do it quickly. While it is still early in the season, they’ll have played 15% of their schedule after this weekend. The rise up the table has to begin now.

Urawa host Shonan Bellmare, while Vissel make the trip to Hiroshima to take on Sanfrecce.

Five teams on draw-only starts

There are five teams in the middle of the table - Cerezo Osaka, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, Sagan Tosu, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Avispa Fukuoka. All five have played two matches and have two draws to show for it.

All will be fighting to get a full three points this weekend and turning draw purgatory into an impressive undefeated start to the campaign.