Yamagata and Tokushima will contest the first vertical pass and the loose ball behind it. Yamagata can add a second forward later, while Tokushima seek a central reception before the home screen resets. Imabari and Sapporo should produce a separate battle between Imabari's crosses and Sapporo's pressure and restarts. In both matches, the side that protects the centre after an opening chance can control the next phase.
Tokushima can find Takagi through Kodama or Sugimoto, or win the ball on Yamagata's unsettled right side. Yamagata's recent win came after a two-forward adjustment, but it produced only a few accurate attempts while allowing repeated shots on target. Tokushima's back three and Kitamura have a current record of protecting narrow leads, and their Fujieda trip showed a central shooting route. Yanagisawa remains doubtful rather than confirmed absent; the core defensive roles are recent observations, with no confirmed new lineup. That's why I'm siding with Tokushima Vortis.
Imabari can supply Edigar from Mori or Kajiura, but its recent defensive concessions on restarts and second contacts align with Sapporo's current attacking routes. Supachok and Konomi offer the set-piece contact, while Aoki and Vini have provided a later receiving and finishing route. Sapporo's back three and Tagawa have also protected the middle under pressure. Miyazawa's status after the last match is unknown, so the case rests on the observed suppliers and receivers rather than a presumed absence. That's why I'm siding with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
