With the bottom two clubs automatically relegated to the "J-2" and the third from the bottom entering a playoff with third place finisher in "J-2" the fight has eight clubs with only four points. At this stage starting at Kashiwa Reysol which is tenth in the table all the way down to Omiya Ardija, which stands second-last, are separated by only four points. Coupled with the title race most clubs are either fighting for the title, a spot in the Champions League or to avoid relegation.
On Saturday:
Kyoto Purple Sanga @ Kashima Antlers
After losing to Aussie's Adelaide United in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League, the Antlers appear refocused on winning the table. However pressure to stay atop the table will be tough and consistancy is needed from Marquinhos, Danilo and Nippon Daihyo Shinzo Koroki
FC Tokyo @ Oita Trinita
This is definitely the match of the weekend as it will go a long way in sealing the fate of both clubs. The Gas Men were riding a five match winning streak before being stunned by blown apart by Shimizu S-Pulse 5-1 last week.
Kawasaki Frontale @ Shimizu S-Pulse
Last weeks "shocker" was Kawasaki Frontale's 3-0 destruction of defensive stalwarts Ōita. Tsutomu Takahata's club has three very "winnable" matches in succession before facing Gamba Osaka and perfectly positioned to take the title. Should ex Santos-man Renatinho continue at this place this could be a stunning finale for them.
Vissel Kobe @ Urawa Red Diamonds
The Red Diamonds fell victim to JEF last week and have seen their title hopes slip away with only a single victory in the last five matches. Gert Engels squad has played uncharacteristically sloppy Football in the defensive end of late and equally allowing matches to get away from them tactically. They do however have a "perfect" schedule through the balance of the season with Gamba Osaka the most difficult
Omiya Ardija @ Tokyo Verdy 1969
This bottom of the table fight fight is crucial for both clubs if they are to avoid automatic relegation. Tokyo Verdy is coming off a great match as they fought Nagoya Grampus to a tight-fisted 1-1 draw while Omiya Ardija was completely humiliated 4-0 by Kashiwa Reysol in a scoreline that was flattering.
Albirex Niigata @ JEF United Ichihara-Chiba
One of the big stories in the J-League is the stunning turnaround of JEF United which is unbeaten over the last six matches and gained eighteen points on the table since the start of August. Manager Alex Miller has directed this turnaround with Japan international Seiichiro Maki leading the way. Their play has thrown the relegation battle in complete disarray as it once seemed the JEF and Consadole Sapporo's fate were sealed.
Jubilo Iwata @ Gamba Osaka
How Gamba takes this match will be interesting tactically. They've been playing very sound Football of late with four match unbeaten streak but additionally face the Red Diamonds in the AFC Champions League next week. Jubilo Iwata destroyed relegation condemned Consadole Sapporo with Ryoichi Maeda lighting up the score sheet three times before the break
On Sunday:
Kashiwa Reysol @ Consadole Sapporo
Reysol is on the outer edge of being concerned of relegation but this should be an easy three points and end that concern.
Nagoya Grampus Eight @ Yokohama F. Marinos
Last weeks stumble against Tokyo Verdy cost Grampus dearly as the 1-1 draw cost them the lead in the title race. Japan international Keiji Tamada will need to step-up and provide quality finishing for them to win the race. Their next five matches are all winnable against the lower half of the table before facing Ōita in a showdown in the final week that might decide the race.
| J-League week 28 | P | W | D | L | GS | GA | Pts |
| Kashima Antlers | 28 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 49 | 26 | 50 |
| Nagoya Grampus Eight | 28 | 15 | 5 | 8 | 41 | 30 | 50 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 28 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 51 | 37 | 48 |
| Oita Trinita | 28 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 30 | 22 | 48 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 28 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 45 | 31 | 47 |
| FC Tokyo | 28 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 40 | 37 | 45 |
| Gamba Osaka | 28 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 39 | 35 | 44 |
| Shimizu S-Pulse | 28 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 37 | 36 | 40 |
| Vissel Kobe | 28 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 34 | 31 | 37 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 28 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 38 | 36 | 36 |
| Kyoto Purple Sanga | 28 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 29 | 36 | 36 |
| Albirex Niigata | 28 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 27 | 40 | 36 |
| Yokohama F. Marinos | 28 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 28 | 27 | 35 |
| JEF United Ichihara-Chiba | 28 | 9 | 6 | 13 | 29 | 43 | 33 |
| Jubilo Iwata | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 35 | 41 | 32 |
| Tokyo Verdy 1969 | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 36 | 43 | 32 |
| Omiya Ardija | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 28 | 39 | 32 |
| Consadole Sapporo | 28 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 32 | 58 | 17 |
