Kyoto-Ehime
Tomorrow's game has two main themes: one is avoid any self-indulgence and grab another 3 points before we go to Sapporo in the weekend; and two is to kick Ehime's ass back after they trashed us 3-0 in a very controversial game.
Paulinho earned his fourth yellow in Matsumoto (as I have predicted!) and he'll rest for a game. Minobe has three main alternatives for a second forward: Nakaharai (ther most likely); Nishino, and Tahara, who as on the bench in the last two away games.
Kuranuki should start on the right in midfield (his home debut), and Watanabe should push back in defense, right behind him. Kakuda (not Teshima) and Tiago in the middle in front of Hirai, and for the rest the same standard line-up.
Ehime beat Cerezo 2-0 in the 15th round, but otherwise they have lost 8 in the last 10 (their other victory... well, you guess... grrrrrr). At the moment they vegetate at the 12th place in the league, with a goal difference of -13.
It should be a walk in the (Nishikyogoku) park, but I'll believe it when I see it. I whitheld from writing a triumphant "Analysis" after two victories in a row, but I vow I will do it if the boys don't let me down tomorrow. Sendai and Fukuoka's unexpected defeats last weekend projected us back into 4th place, and the moment is propitious to gear up toward the top-two berths.
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