Gamba Osaka may be five point adrift of leaders Kashiwa near the halfway stage of the J league season, but they do have 2 games in hand and neither of the top sides at the moment are perennial toppers, that will last out the remaining of the camaign. Gamba may be on a good run of form up till last Saturday, when they were defeated 4-3 by Kofu away. The Osaka side are really playing with fire on the numerous ocassions I have watched them this season. Arguably, they have the best attack in the league but their defence are always so shaky, such that I cannot even remember when they did last keep a clean sheet. It must be close to 15 games already.

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For Iwata though, they have been doing pretty well by their standards thus far, and at present, occupy a lofty position of seventh in the table. The main area that they have vastly improved on from last season have been their offensive third and the fact that they pose more of a threat away from home these days mean that they are no longer easy pushovers around. Furthermore, they have won 3 of their previous 4 on their travels and I am sure for Gamba today, it will be a game of high entertainment yet again.

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Pick: Over 4.5 goals @3.65