10 Mar 2008(Mon)

March 7, 2008: It is never easy to predict the champions of the J.League, even on the last day of the season.

So on the eve of a new campaign?

Almost impossible, but "impossible is nothing" as they say these days, and surely the 2008 champions will emerge from the J1 Super League.

I would say the Super League membership stands at four, led by Reds, Gamba and Antlers and with Frontale as the dark horse.

Apart from those four, I cannot see anyone else challenging -- unless Shunsuke Nakamura returns to Marinos in the summer and transforms his old team, Ogasawara-style.

My tip for this season, though, is Urawa, despite the fact they have lost the goals of Washington, the midfield craft of Hasebe and the extravagant skills (usually off the bench) of Ono. In addition to this, the injured Alex and recovering Robson Ponte will be out for a good few weeks yet, so the new-look team needs a good start.

Reds have bought well in the winter, and I am sure Takahara and Edmilson will work well together and share the goals out, rather than it being a one-man Washington show.

Umesaki is another fine signing, a bright and busy attacking midfielder who can operate all across the pitch behind the front line and help link midfield to attack.

I know Hasebe was a firm favourite of the Reds supporters with his surging runs from deep, but I always felt his potential was never quite fulfilled at Urawa. He had the ability to get hold of a game by the scruff of the neck and really dominate it, and his departure will be more than compensated by the combination of Abe and Suzuki in the engine room.

This gives Reds an altogether tougher centre, not only protecting the defence but providing a solid platform for the attack to function.

Reds have two players for every position, and, unlike Gamba and Antlers, have no AFC Champions League group commitments until they enter at the quarter-final stage.

Frontale, disappointing in the league last season, should be strong enough to maintain a serious challenge this time. The explosive Hulk will give them a new dimension, and the addition of Yamagishi will tighten up the left side of midfield. With the stability and continuity from recent seasons, Frontale are a genuine threat this time.

But I'll go for Reds -- a year after tipping Gamba...

ends