Machida Zelvia vs Vissel Kobe Prediction: Zelvia In For Another Daunting Task In Front Of Their Fans

Machida Zelvia will welcome defending champions Vissel Kobe at the National Stadium in the eighth round of the J1 League. 

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

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Machida Zelvia

Form: WLWWW

The hosts are making their first ever appearance in the top flight, and it's safe to say they've been making headlines in the past few weeks. Machida Zelvia immediately returned to winning ways on Sunday, defeating Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 away from home despite being at a numerical disadvantage. This comes after succumbing to a 2-1 home defeat against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. 

Machida Zelvia has played seven matches thus far and, during those encounters, has suffered a solitary defeat while recording five wins and one draw. Coming into this match, they aim to secure their second consecutive win in front of their fans, where they've won two of their last three matches. 

With 16 points accumulated from seven matches, Machida Zelvia occupies the top spot in the J1 League standings and has maintained a one-point cushion over second-placed and third-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Cerezo Osaka, respectively. 

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

Vissel Kobe

Form: LDWDW

Despite holding the favorites tag in their match against Yokohama F. Marinos, Vissel Kobe concluded their weekend on a sour note as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, with first-choice goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa's red card in the 75th minute adding salt to injury.

The defending champions have had mixed results in the league thus far, recording three wins, two draws, and two losses. They are currently on a two-match winless run (D1, L1) and will be aiming to return to winning ways away from home, where their performance has been impressive, avoiding defeat in their last two matches (W1, D1).

With 11 points accumulated from seven matches, Vissel Kobe sits in fifth place in the J1 League standings, level on points with sixth-placed and seventh-placed Urawa Red Diamonds and FC Tokyo, respectively.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

S. Arai; G. Sakai, T. Yamakawa, M. Thuler, Y. Honda; H. Yamaguchi, T. Ogihara, T. Miyashiro; Y. Muto, Y. Osako, R. Hirose

Match Facts

• Machida Zelvia have lost one of their last four home matches in the J1 League.
• Vissel Kobe have failed to score in just three of their last seven J1 League matches.
• Machida Zelvia averages 1.5 goals per game when playing at home, and Vissel Kobe averages 1.33 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 are faced with another daunting task: safeguarding their position atop the league standings as they take on the 2022–23 champions, Vissel Kobe. They'll be counting on their momentum at home, where they've lost one of their last four matches (W2, D1), to secure a favorable outcome in this one.

Vissel Kobe, on the other hand, has gone seven matches without a defeat when playing away (W5, D2) and will be aiming to maintain that laudable run. 

Considering that Machida Zelvia have scored in each of their last four home matches in the league, we expect them to be on the scoreboard in this one, thus supporting both teams to score, which should suffice.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.90
• Total - Over 2 for 1.61
• Total Corners - Over 8.5 for 1.66