Predictions for the 18th round of J1 League, May 24-25
Cerezo Osaka – Avispa Fukuoka
In this matchup, teams from the middle of the league table will face off. Cerezo Osaka is performing somewhat more confidently in this part of the season, having secured three wins in their last five matches. On the other hand, Avispa Fukuoka is currently experiencing serious issues in terms of accumulating points, with only two draws and three losses in the same number of games. Additionally, it's worth noting that the home team has been stronger in the last two head-to-head encounters with an aggregate score of 4:0. Considering all of the above, the club from Osaka may well extend this series.
Match Prediction for Cerezo Osaka – Avispa Fukuoka: Home Win
Nagoya Grampus – Urawa Red Diamonds
At the “Toyota” stadium in Nagoya, we are expecting a meeting of teams from opposite ends of the league table. The home team is not off to the best start, having secured only four wins in 17 rounds. Meanwhile, the visitors have solidified their position in the top four, winning three of their last five matches. However, one should not blindly believe that Urawa Red Diamonds will achieve an easy victory, as Nagoya Grampus has not lost in four consecutive rounds.
Match Prediction for Nagoya Grampus – Urawa Red Diamonds: Home Team Will Not Lose
Fagiano Okayama – Machida Zelvia
Not long ago, Machida Zelvia was among the leading group, but at some point, the team's results declined, and they are now only in seventh place in the league table. Fagiano Okayama, having recently been promoted to the top division, is showing decent play, especially on their home turf, consistently neutralizing the attacking efforts of their opponents. Considering that the visitors are currently "stormy," it is quite believable that their opponent can secure at least one point in this match.
Match Prediction for Fagiano Okayama – Machida Zelvia: Home Team Will Not Lose
Albirex Niigata – Shonan Bellmare
The home team started this season in a dreadful manner, securing only two wins in 16 matches. However, recently they have started to stabilize the situation. Their opponent is positioned slightly higher in the league table, but in terms of recent results, they do not appear more favorable than their opponent. Therefore, it is quite reasonable to believe in Albirex Niigata, especially since the club will be playing in front of their fans.
Match Prediction for Albirex Niigata – Shonan Bellmare: Home Team Will Not Lose
Shimizu S-Pulse – Vissel Kobe
The home team, having only recently appeared in Japan's top division, is performing very confidently. The team has managed to secure 6 wins in 17 rounds, but recently they have not been pleasing their fans at all. The club has managed to three times...lost four matches, and in the remaining match, they drew with Machida Zelvia, who are currently on a decline. The opponent, Shimizu S-Pulse, is in excellent form right now, so it's quite reasonable to believe in the success of Vissel Kobe.
Match Prediction for Shimizu S-Pulse – Vissel Kobe: Away Win
Yokohama F. Marinos – Kashima Antlers
Here we reach the match of the current leader of J1 League. Kashima Antlers have recently hit an incredible form, riding a seven-match winning streak. However, it's not that they are thrashing their opponents, rather they secure an advantage and then play to maintain the score. Fortunately, their defense is performing very confidently this season. In the 18th round, the team will play against Yokohama F. Marinos, who are at the bottom of the table. It seems like a chance to showcase their attacking potential, but the "Deer" coach is likely to opt for rotation, so don't expect a rout here.
Match Prediction for Yokohama F. Marinos – Kashima Antlers: Home Win with a +2.5 Goal Handicap
Yokohama FC – Kashiwa Reysol
In this match, teams will also face off from vastly different positions in the league table. The season hasn't even reached its "equator," yet the opponents are already separated by 15 points. It's clear to the naked eye that these are clubs of completely different levels. If Kashiwa Reysol were experiencing a slump, Yokohama might have had a chance for success, but the situation is entirely different, making it hard to believe in the home team's prospects.
Match Prediction for Yokohama FC – Kashiwa Reysol: Away Win
FC Tokyo – Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who claimed the silver medals last season, are not performing as convincingly this time, sitting only in 5th place. However, they have gained significant momentum, securing victories in each of their last four matches. Therefore, FC Tokyo, from 16th place in the table, will find it extremely difficult in the upcoming match, even though it will be held on their home turf.
Match Prediction for FC Tokyo – Sanfrecce Hiroshima: Away Win
Tokyo Verdy – Kyoto Sanga
Will Tokyo Verdy be an easy prey for Kyoto Sanga? There is a significant gap between the teams in the table, but it's not wise to immediately favor the visitors, who are in third place. Last season, both encounters between the clubs ended in a draw, and now the capital team will be playing in front of their fans. It's hard to believe they will lose in such a situation.
Match Prediction for Tokyo Verdy – Kyoto Sanga: Home Team Will Not Lose
Kawasaki Frontale – Gamba Osaka
Kawasaki Frontale is hosting a team from Osaka for the second consecutive round at their stadium. In the previous match, the club secured a victory over Cerezo Osaka, scoring two unanswered goals. Currently, the home team has a real chance to secure another "victory," as their opponent is not in the best form, having lost to Vissel Kobe and Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the two previous encounters.
