Mschida Zelvia vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima Prediction: Debutants Zelvia In For A Difficult Time As They Aim To Maintain Their Unbeaten Run

Machida Zelvia will welcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima to the Machida Stadium in the sixth round of the J1 League.

Machida Zelvia will be aiming to maintain their top spot in the league standings, as they have their sights set on maximum points in this impending encounter while also hoping to avoid their first defeat of the season. 

Let's have a look at the latest J1 League between Machida Zelvia vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima, probable lineups, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Machida Zelvia

Form: WWWWD

Machida Zelvia returned to league action in a fashionable manner as they eked out a 3-1 victory against Sagan Tosu in front of their boisterous supporters. Despite playing out a 1-1 draw in the first half, Se-hun Oh turned out to be instrumental in their success, as he scored twice in the second half in the space of three minutes to guide his side to a resounding triumph.

As first-division debutants, Machida Zelvia has turned out to be a surprise package this season as they have yet to suffer defeat, securing four wins and a draw in their last five matches played. It's also worth mentioning that they have won four consecutive matches and will be backing themselves for a fifth consecutive league win.

With 13 points accumulated from 5 matches played, Machida Zelvia sits at the top of the J1 League standings and has maintained a two-point cushion over second-placed Cerezo Osaka

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-2

K. Tani; J. Suzuki, I. Drešević, M. Jang, K. Hayashi; Y. Hirakawa, K. Shibato, K. Sento, K. Fujimoto; S.H. Oh, S. Fujio

Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Form: DDWDW

Despite being one of the four sides yet to suffer defeat in the early days of the J1 league season, Sanfrecce Hiroshima believes they have yet to find their rhythm as they lurk outside the top three in the league standings.

In their most recent league match, they couldn't capitalize on their home advantage to secure a comfortable victory against Gamba Osaka as they settled for a 1-1 draw, with their undoing being their obvious struggles in the final third. While this marked their third draw in the last five matches, this extended their draw streak to two matches in the league, and they will be aiming to return to winning ways in this fixture.

With 9 points accumulated from 5 matches played, Sanfrecce Hiroshima sits in fifth place in the J1 League standings and is two points adrift of a second-place finish.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-2-1

K. Osako; T. Shiotani, H. Araki, S. Sasaki; S. Nakano, M. Mitsuta, T. Kawamura, S. Higashi; Y. Ohashi, K. Mutsuki; P. Sotiriou

Match Facts

• Machida Zelvia are currently on a three-match unbeaten run when playing at home in the J1 League.
• Sanfrecce Hiroshima have won two of their last six away matches in the J1 League, a run that extends to the previous season.
• Machida Zelvia averages 1.9 goals per game when playing at home, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima averages 1.4 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

This will be the first meeting between these two sides in the J1 League.

Expert Betting Tips

Machida Zelvia have been the surprise package this season, surpassing expectations by remaining unbeaten in their last five league matches and occupying the top spot in their debutant season, and it wouldn't come as a surprise if they were to secure a win in this impending encounter. 

While this match is anticipated to be closely contested between two teams in good form, we expect to see goals at both ends of the pitch, considering the attacking talent each team possesses, as predicting a winner at full-time could prove difficult.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes 2.00
• X for 3.10
• Handicap 1 (0) for 2.15