Vissel Kobe are the reigning Meiji Yasuda J1 League champions and their fight to defend the crown continues against Nagoya Grampus on Friday at 19:00 JST in a match that will be shown live on JLeague.co and broadcasters around the world.

The defending champs haven’t hit their stride yet this season as they’ve worked through integrating new signings and a mounting injury list, but Vissel nevertheless find themselves just two points off the top of the table.

Last season’s J1 MVP Yuya Osako has yet to be consistently at his best in 2024 and is coming off having a penalty saved in a 1-0 loss to Kyoto Sanga last matchweek.

Getting Osako back to peak form and clicking alongside a now-healthy Yoshinori Muto could be what gets this team back in top gear.

The task to get back in pole position will be anything but easy this Friday night, though, as a face-off with Grampus means coming up against one of J1's form sides.

After three losses to begin the campaign, the Grampus defense has been largely excellent. That's nothing new for Mitchell Langerak, who is once again anchoring an imposing rearguard and stands as quite the challenge for Osako and Co this weekend.

Though Grampus were defeated in Saitama last matchweek, dropping a 2-1 result against Urawa Reds, there are signs that this team can be a contender. To do it, they will need to energize an attack that is only scoring a goal per game with star striker Kasper Junker sidelined with a knee injury.

Will Nagoya be able to take full points off Kobe and even move ahead of them in the table? Or will Vissel creep ever closer to first place in their pursuit for a second straight title?

Find out live in a J.League match you won’t want to miss!