Predictions for the 19th round of J1 League, May 31 - June 1
Avispa Fukuoka – Tokyo Verdy
In this matchup, teams positioned next to each other in the middle of the league table will face off. However, the difference is that the visitors have not been very confident on the road, while Avispa Fukuoka performs excellently at home, having not lost in 5 of their last 6 matches. Therefore, it is quite reasonable to believe in the home team in this encounter.
Match Prediction for Avispa Fukuoka – Tokyo Verdy: home team will not lose
Machida Zelvia – Yokohama F. Marinos
Machida Zelvia had an excellent start to the season, but now the team does not look as confident, with only one win in their last six matches. In the last round, the club struggled to secure a draw against Fagiano Okayama, coming back from a 0:2 deficit during the match. However, in the upcoming round, the team will have a chance to rectify the situation as they host Yokohama F. Marinos, who are at the bottom of the table. Moreover, the team from Machida has been stronger in 2 of the last 3 head-to-head meetings with this opponent.
Match Prediction for Machida Zelvia – Yokohama F. Marinos: home team victory
Nagoya Grampus – Albirex Niigata
In this matchup, teams from the lower part of the table will face each other, both of which have not been showing their best game recently. Choosing a favorite here is quite difficult, but it is worth noting that in the last two head-to-head meetings, more than three goals were scored, so one can believe in a high-scoring game in this encounter.
Match Prediction for Nagoya Grampus – Albirex Niigata: over 2.5 goals
Kashiwa Reysol – Vissel Kobe
In one of the most interesting matches of the 18th round of the J1 League, Kashiwa Reysol will face Vissel Kobe. Both teams have been playing quite confidently this season, but the home team currently looks more favorable, sitting in second place in the table. However, it is worth noting that head-to-head meetings between these opponents rarely turn out to be high-scoring, as less than three goals have been scored in each of the last 6 matches. It is quite reasonable to believe that this time the teams will not put on a goal-scoring spectacle.
Match Prediction for Kashiwa Reysol – Vissel Kobe: under 2.5 goals
Sanfrecce Hiroshima – Kawasaki Frontale
Sanfrecce Hiroshima, sitting in third place in the table, will host Kawasaki Frontale. Bookmakers have more faith in the success of the home team, which is quite logical, as they are on a five-match winning streak. The visitors are also in decent form, but it will be very difficult for them to earn points on the road, so one can believe in the team from Hiroshima.
Match Prediction for Sanfrecce Hiroshima – Kawasaki Frontale: home team victory
Gamba Osaka – Kashima Antlers
Kashima Antlers' seven-match winning streak was halted in the last round as the "Deer" were defeated away by Yokohama Marinos, who are at the bottom of the league. After such a setback, they will surely want to bounce back and extend their lead over second-placed Kashiwa Reysol. Gamba Osaka is unlikely to contain the attacking potential of their opponent, as the club is currently going through tough times, having only one win in their last five matches.
Match Prediction for Gamba Osaka – Kashima Antlers: away team victory
Kyoto Sanga – Tokyo
In the last round, Kyoto Sanga suffered a disappointing defeat to Tokyo Verdy, conceding a goal in the fifth minute of added time and dropping to fourth place in the standings. Prior to that, the club also lost in the Emperor's Cup, scoring only once in response to four goals by Cerezo Osaka. It's time to recover from these failures, especially since Tokyo, who are on a three-match losing streak, is visiting.
Match Prediction for Kyoto Sanga – Tokyo: home team victory
Cerezo Osaka – Shimizu S-Pulse
The clubs are neighbors in the league table, sitting in 8th and 9th positions respectively. However, Cerezo Osaka is currently in good form, having secured 4 wins in their last 5 matches, while Shimizu S-Pulse is not experiencing the best of times. Moreover, the visitors are quite unconvincing on the road, so it's reasonable to believe in the home team's chances in this encounter.
Match Prediction for Cerezo Osaka – Shimizu S-Pulse: home team victory
Shonan Bellmare – Fagiano Okayama
Shonan Bellmare has been alternating between wins and losses recently. If they continue this pattern, they should secure three points in the upcoming match. However, this will be quite challenging as Fagiano Okayama has almost as many draws and victories as they do losses. Therefore, it's quite likely that the visitors will "dig in" and take points from their opponent once again.
Match Prediction for Shonan Bellmare – Fagiano Okayama: visitors will not lose
Urawa Red Diamonds – Yokohama
Yokohama has shown dreadful scoring efficiency this season, netting only 12 goals in 18 matches. However, they also concede relatively few goals, which suggests that the upcoming match against Urawa Red Diamonds will be low-scoring. In head-to-head encounters, goal fests are rare, which further increases the chances of seeing Under 2.5 goals.
