Turkish World Cup star Ilhan Mansiz lining up for big-spending Vissel Kobe. Japan international Alessandro Santos in an Urawa Reds shirt. Veteran defender Yutaka Akita battling it out at the back for Nagoya Grampus Eight.

Apart from some interesting changes in team personnel, the top flight has a different look this year with almost half of the teams in the J. League first division kicking off the new season this weekend under new managers.

But it is the usual suspects -- Jubilo Iwata, Kashima Antlers and defending champion Yokohama F. Marinos -- that look the strong favorites for league honors in 2004.