Shonan Bellmare vs Vissel Kobe Prediction: Kobe Can't Be Trusted—The Hosts Are In Tip-top Form!

Shonan Bellmare are set to host defending champions Vissel Kobe at Lemon Gas Stadium in the sixth round of the Eredivisie. Bellmare are second in the league standings, while Vissel Kobe are 17th.

Let's head into the match preview to find the best odds on the Shonan Bellmare vs. Vissel Kobe game and my expert picks to place your bets.

Shonan Bellmare

Form: DDWWW

Shonan Bellmare concluded the previous season three places above the relegation zone. In the current J1 League campaign, they have turned out to be surprise packages as they find themselves fighting for the top spot. However, it's still early to tell if that will be the case down as the season reaches its climax.

The hosts and Sanfrecce Hiroshima are the only two teams that have yet to suffer defeat in five league games. They have recorded three wins and two draws.

Bellmare began with three consecutive wins and have currently found winning games hard to come by lately. They have drawn their last two league games and their most recent was a goalless draw against FC Tokyo away from home.

Vissel Kobe

Form: LDDD

Vissel Kobe recently traveled to South Korea on Wednesday to lock horns with Gwangju FC in the second leg of the AFC Champions League last 16 tie. The visitors job was simple: protect a two-goal advantage from the first leg. 

However, to everybody's surprise they lost 3-0 bringing the aggregate to 3-2 and ultimately resulting in their elimination from the competition

Kobe now turn their attention to the J1 League where they've made a very poor start to their title defence. They are one of four teams in the league yet to win a game after going four matches without a win. 

In their most recent match, they suffered a 1-0 home defeat against ten-man Avispa Fukuoka. This comes after drawing three straight matches. 

Match Facts

• Shonan Bellmare has won two consecutive home matches in the J1 League.
• Vissel Kobe has scored in each of their last seven away league games.
• Shonan Bellmare has failed to win their last five matches against Vissel Kobe.
• Vissel Kobe is currently on a two-match winning streak against Shonan Bellmare.

Head-To-Head

In the last 24 meetings, Shonan Bellmare has won 5 times, Vissel Kobe has won 12 times, and there have been 7 draws with the goal difference being 39-25 in favour of Vissel Kobe. 

Expert Betting Tips

I'm not quite sure whether Vissel Kobe has failed to establish a consistent tactical identity or what. But whatever is going on in the Kobe camp this season is not looking good.  

Just last season, they were the team to trust to step up to any challenge but not this time around. Shonan Bellmare has performed much better than them and I wouldn't be surprised if they were to snatch three points. 

Bookmakers are expecting a closely contested affair when these two sides clash. However, I see this match written goals galore which is why I'm backing over 2.5 goals. 

Our main prediction for the match: Goals - Over 2.5 for 2.05 with Bet365.

2nd prediction: Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.77 with 1xbet.

3rd prediction: 1st Goal - Shonan Bellmare for 1.98 with Betway.