Nagoya Grampus are off to a rough start to their 2024 campaign, losing each of their first two matches and leaving them as the top flight’s lone team without a point. That puts the pressure on them to turn things around quickly, beginning on Saturday at 14:00 JST when they take on Albirex Niigata in a match that will be streamed live on JLeague.co.

Nagoya were thoroughly beaten in their opener as Kashima Antlers rolled to a 3-0 victory. Grampus were disorganized and struggled to find any rhythm, but first-match struggles are not unheard of. That they couldn’t find a foothold in a 1-0 home loss to FC Machida Zelvia last week was more concerning.

Now manager Kenta Hasegawa has to put Grampus back on the right track by getting the most out of an attack led by proven frontman Kasper Junker and a defense with the elite Mitchell Langerak between the sticks.

Albirex will not make it easy on Nagoya, though. They had a strong 2023 campaign as a newly-promoted side and then kicked off this year with an away win in Tosu. A loss to Gamba Osaka last week may have dampened enthusiasm a bit, but a return to their home crowd should give Niigata a mighty boost against a team hungry for points.

Will Albirex return to form and heap more misery on Nagoya? Or can Grampus notch their first points of the season?

Find out live on J.League.co this Saturday!