With five games to go, Postecoglou's Yokohama side are very much in the mix but much can happen over the space of 450 minutes. The World Game sticks its neck out to see how the title-chasers will fare in the run-in.
Yokohama 55 pts --Haven’t won the title since 2004 but are looking good, with 16 points taken from the last 18. Some tricky games to come will test those credentials.
Sagan Tosu (A) On paper, should be three points against the strugglers but Tosu’s more physical approach may give the free-flowing Yokohama a few problems and they also need the points desperately. Either a big away win or a tight draw. DRAW
Nov 9: Consadole Sapporo (H) The kind of team that have to be beaten in the title race. Sapporo like to knock it around but have nothing to play for and are in poor form. WIN
Nov 23: Matsumoto Yamaga (A) Have rallied a little of late --see last week's draw with Kashima-- to give hope that relegation can be avoided and while they have conceded less goals than Yokohama, this should be a narrow away win that will have major repercussions at both ends of the table. WIN
Nov 30: Kawasaki Frontale (A) A really tricky game and not just because it is the Kanagawa Derby. Defending champions. Kawasaki have struggled for consistency this year but should rise to the occasion when it matters. LOSS
Dec 7; FC Tokyo (H) Tokyo have won the last three meetings between the two but that will mean nothing on what could be Ange Postecoglou’s biggest game since the 2015 Asian Cup final. The J.League is known for its final round twists but this should be Yokohama’s day (barring a repeat of past goalkeeping errors). Whether it will be their season remains to be seen. WIN
Kashima (56 points) --The eight-time champions have the title pedigree that the others lack but also have the toughest run-in.
Urawa Reds (H) -- After dropping points unexpectedly against lowly Matsumoto Yamaga, Kashima need to bounce back. Urawa have nothing to play for but after a poor season by their standards are under pressure to give fans something to smile about. Despite that, Kashima to scrape through. WIN
Kawasaki (H) --The defending champions have a big part to play in the title race and are also in with a faint chance of a top three finish and a place in the Asian Champions League. On paper, should be an home win. Kawasaki's form has been poor with just two wins in the last 10. Kashima have lost just once in the last 16 but will be vulnerable here. LOSS
Sanfrecce Hiroshima (A) A really tough game. Hiroshima are in with an outside chance of the title but will probably need to win all their games to have a chance. That may be beyond them but beating Kashima is not. DRAW
Vissel Kobe (H) It has been a hugely disappointing season for Kobe with Iniesta, Podolski and Villa flirting with relegation for too much of it. Kobe should be clear of relegation trouble by the time this game comes around but this is likely to be a must-win game for Kashima and should be a comfortable three points. WIN
Nagoya Grampus (A) Nagoya have been in really poor form of late but Kashima will be hoping they are clear of relegation trouble by the time the last day comes around. The Antlers have been here before and should have too much for a team that has not won in the last seven. WIN
FC Tokyo 56 pts -The Rugby World Cup has forced the Gasmen out of Tokyo for eight successive games. Life on the road has been uncertain but a first title is still well within reach,
Oita Trinita (A) Tokyo returned to winning ways last week and this is a crucial game. Oita may be the perfect opposition --could be distracted by the Emperor’s Cup with little to play for. DRAW
Jubilo Iwata (A) It is often the case that there is one team in the J.League which is just awful and this season that dubious title belongs to former giants Jubilo Iwata. If Tokyo can’t win here then surely can't the title. WIN
Shonan Bellmare (H) Same again here. Shonan are sliding towards the drop zone with four straight defeats and the recent resignation of coach Cho Kwi-jae may have come too late. Combine this with a long-awaited return to home ground for Tokyo, has to be a big home win. WIN
Urawa Reds (H) There is no love lost between these two teams. Urawa have had a terrible season domestically but have shown in the champions league that they can match anyone on their day. DRAW
Yokohama F. Marinos (A) As discussed above. LOSS
Final Standings
Kashima 66
Yokohama 65
Tokyo 64
