Early in the 2026–27 J1 League season, after five rounds, JEF United Chiba sits winless at the foot of the table with a -12 goal difference following five straight defeats, while Tokyo Verdy remains without a victory and Avispa Fukuoka holds just three points. Shimizu S-Pulse and V-Varen Nagasaki occupy the next positions on four points each. The bottom three clubs at the end of the 38-match campaign will be relegated to J2, with the top two J2 sides plus one playoff winner promoted in return. A long schedule ahead leaves substantial scope for recovery among these sides or further decline, as recent results, squad depth, and fixture congestion will shape final positions amid typical J.League volatility.