Predictions for the 17th round of J1 League, May 17-18
Machida Zelvia – Kashiwa Reysol
The home team started the current season quite confidently, but recently the team has not been delivering results. In their last five matches, they have only one win, which is not impressive at all. Kashiwa Reysol is currently the complete opposite of their opponent, as the club has gained excellent form, going on a series of several victories. The visitors can claim three points this time as well, having done so in their last four away matches.
Match Prediction for Machida Zelvia – Kashiwa Reysol: Away Win
Sanfrecce Hiroshima – Tokyo Verdy
The home team currently occupies fifth place in the standings, fully deservedly. The team is showing confident play, especially recently. However, the club from Hiroshima relies more on its defense, scoring a small number of goals. As for Tokyo Verdy, despite being in 14th place, the team has been performing very well lately. This is especially evident away, where the capital's team has not lost in 8 of their last 9 matches.
Match Prediction for Sanfrecce Hiroshima – Tokyo Verdy: Visitors Will Not Lose
Vissel Kobe – Gamba Osaka
After defeats in the last two rounds, Vissel Kobe has dropped to tenth place in the standings. However, the situation for the team could change in the upcoming round, as the club performs very well at home, winning their last three matches at the "Noevir Stadium". The visitors are not always convincing away, which plays into the hands of the club from Kobe.
Match Prediction for Vissel Kobe – Gamba Osaka: Home Win
Yokohama F. Marinos – Kyoto Sanga
Yokohama continues to surprise, but unfortunately in the worst sense. The team is at the bottom of the table, with their defense crumbling under pressure. Kyoto, on the other hand, is holding strong in the top 3 and feels confident away. Head-to-head encounters favor Sanga, and everything suggests that this trend will continue.
Match Prediction for Yokohama F. Marinos – Kyoto Sanga: Away Win
Avispa Fukuoka – Nagoya Grampus
Avispa is gradually losing pace — their winless streak is growing, and their attack is faltering. Nagoya Grampus, on the other hand, is in the danger zone, sitting in 17th place, but their play is not as hopeless as their position in the table suggests. Looking at the recent head-to-head meetings between the clubs, they often end in a draw, and it should be noted that Avispa Fukuoka has not won in their last 6 league matches.
Match Prediction for Avispa Fukuoka – Nagoya Grampus: Visitors Will Not Lose
Kashima Antlers – Shimizu S-Pulse
Kashima is confidently leading and racking up victory after victory, especially on their home turf. Shimizu S-Pulse is hanging in there, with the visitors having secured six wins since the start of the season, but they look quite unconvincing on the road. In recent encounters between these opponents, the home team has shown a noticeable advantage, and they are currently in excellent form to continue their successful streak.
Match Prediction for Kashima Antlers – Shimizu S-Pulse: Home Win
Shonan Bellmare – Yokohama
Shonan is playing a defensive game this season, especially at home, and they can't boast of anything exceptional in terms of attacking actions. However, in the last round, the team managed to secure a victory over Tokyo Verdy, scoring two unanswered goals. Yokohama is one of the main outsiders, and picking up points on the road is a huge challenge for the visitors, as they have only one win in their last five matches against Avispa Fukuoka. In the upcoming match, we can expect a minimal number of goals, as in 6 out of the last 7 games of Shonan Bellmare, fewer than 3 goals were scored.
Match Prediction for Shonan Bellmare – Yokohama: Total Under 2.5 Goals
Urawa Red Diamonds – FC Tokyo
Urawa is finding their rhythm — at home, the team confidently defeats opponents and is aiming for a return to the top three. Tokyo is unstable on the road, with regular defensive lapses. In recent head-to-head matches, Urawa has the advantage, especially on their home ground.
Match Prediction for Urawa Red Diamonds – FC Tokyo: Home Win
Fagiano Okayama – Albirex Niigata
Fagiano Okayama surprised at the start of the season, but the team has now "deflated." In their last five matches, they have only one win, which is disappointing for the club's fans. Albirex, on the other hand, fights hard but hardly picks up points on the road. In such a situation, it's quite likely that the motivated opponents will not allow each other to perform well in attack, resulting in a match with few goals.
Match Prediction for Fagiano Okayama – Albirex Niigata: Total Under 2.5 Goals
Kawasaki Frontale – Cerezo Osaka
Kawasaki is gradually getting back on track: at home, the team is starting to pick up points again and play their usual combination football. They also managed to perform well in the AFC Champions League, even though they didn't make it to the final. Cerezo Osaka is resilient, but often plays defensively on the road, allowing many chances at their goal. However, in recent head-to-head encounters, the visitors have been performing very confidently, not losing at all.
