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16/02/2024Yuto Nakamura JD1 champion analysis

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Yuto Nakamura - JD1
Yuto Nakamura’s professional club career began with Urawa Reds. He spent long spell in Hong Kong and retired in 2023. Now he is coaching for Aoyama Gakuin University.

Urawa Reds among favourites for JD1 title
Heading into the new JD1 season, I think reigning champions Vissel Kobe will be pushed all the way by Urawa Reds and Yokohama F. Marinos.

Keeping Yuya Osako fit will be key to Kobe’s chances of defending their title, but they have made some good signings and I think Yosuke Ideguchi’s addition, in particular, will increase the intensity of their defence. Yokohama F. Marinos have a new head coach in Harry Kewell, and with the club having had a quiet off-season I think he will need a little time to get used to Japanese football.

Urawa Reds and Sanfrecce Hiroshima both have new environments this season thanks to a new manager and new stadium, respectively, and I think each will be provided with a positive atmosphere and power as a result. I’d like to see both challenging at the top of the table.

Urawa are my favourites to become champions. I am also excited to see Ola Solbakken in action for them, and think his fellow new signing Thiago Santana could finish as top scorer as he can score a variety of goals.

Kawasaki Frontale are going through a spell of transition so might be a little off the pace this year, but I have high expectations for Cerezo Osaka and think Seiya Maikuma is a player to watch. Two iconic clubs from yesteryear in Jubilo Iwata and Tokyo Verdy are back in JD1, and I want them to perform well and excite fans on their return.

https://bet.hkjc.com/football/odds/tournament.aspx?lang=en&tournid=50025768&tmatchid=50025768

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