Two matches could turn on what happens after the first pass is challenged. Toyama and Sendai each have a route from the second ball into the box. Omiya and Iwaki can both create chances after losing an early lead. The next wave of supply may matter as much as the opener.
Toyama's home pressure and Tanimoto's release can feed Matsuoka and the inside forwards before Sendai's wide cover settles. Matsuoka and Tsuboi have produced recent finishes, and Toyama generated plenty of goalward work even in home games that ended level. Sendai can answer with a long ball toward Umeki and Iwabuchi's second-ball work. Okamoto left Toyama's last match and Moraes was injured in Sendai's; neither is a confirmed absence for this match. Toyama's ability to rebuild an attack after conceding makes me side with Toyama.
Iwaki's pressure can disrupt Omiya's central outlet, with Yamaguchi and Fujii sending Hisanaga and Michiwaki into the box. Their latest win featured three separate finishing contacts, including Kato after a halftime introduction, while recent Omiya visitors repeatedly reached shooting positions. Omiya's Carlinhos and Izumi still offer a strong answer through the left, especially with Gen Kato available after missing the last match. Iwaki's older injury absences were already part of its latest attacking display. I expect their pressing and second supply to keep this contest close, so I'm siding with Iwaki.
