Gamba Osaka vs Machida Zelvia Prediction: The Hosts Need To Be Wary Of Last-Minute Hopes

Round 8 of the J League shoots off with Gamba Osaka having their backs against the wall as they face early-season bloomers Melchida Zelvia whose seeming walk in the park is envisaged to be roadblocked in this clash. In their struggles, the two sides went away with one point apiece last week and are bent on smashing three points at full-time. My pre-match analysis focuses squarely on two key talents for each side expected to call the shots. Issam Jebali (Gamba Osaka) and Yuki Soma (Machida Zelvia).

Gamba Osaka (11th)

Last five Matches: L-W-W-L-D

In the six-goal thriller last week against Albirex Niigata, defeat beckoned to the Black and Blues, with a close call in the last minute saving a point for the side, who may have begun the season tumultuously. In that game, Gamba Osaka went into halftime with a 1-1 stalemate, scoring two minutes before halftime after conceding in the eighteenth minute. They were quick to score a second goal, giving their loyalists a glance at the possibility of victory before the opposition took charge with two quick goals that brought the scoreline to a 3-2 tag in the 84th minute. The remaining minutes of the game saw them chase evenness, eventually leveling affairs in the 97th minute, seconds before the final whistle blew.

Next Opponents: Kashiwa Reysol

Machida Zelvia (2nd)

Last Five Games: L-W-W-W-D

The Brazilian Tokyo, who began the season on watered grounds were denied victory last week in the ninety-minute scuffle against tenth-seated Albirex Niigata, who were unforgiven in their whiplashes throughout the game. Machida came close to a loss, despite opening the scoring in the first nine minutes. Rumored that their top-flight is bound to land soon, the team looks to foster up points here to help their unbeaten run in the last four league appearances.

So far, they have a pretty decent home form, with two wins and one loss, with the team scoring in every appearance. They have netted in the last two confrontations with Gamba Osaka. As such club loyalists are expressive of anticipated entitlement toward goals in this matchup, with other factors remaining equal. Goalwise, they have thrived with nine goals scored, and six goals conceded.

Machida looks to fortify the hold of their penultimate position since they face Kashiwa Reysol next week; hot-tail chasers who seem relentless, and overly ambitious.

Next Opponents: Kasiwa Reysol

TABLE SORTS - Gamba Osaka vs Machida Zelvia

Expert Betting Tips

Goals have proven not to be headaches for the sides with a prior 3-3 stalemate disposition for the hosts and a recent 2-2 parity affair for the guests, who are slightly tipped as the favorites for this contest. While the visitors have not been subjected to the agony of loss in their most recent away matches, the hosts have dealt harsh cards to two of their most recent home guests, scoring in all three fixtures. I expect the scoreboard markers to be altered for the two sides before the end of standard time. The best tips for this game:

+ A BTTS at 2.06 odds from Betway

+ A win for the guests at 2.40 odds from 1xbet

+ Over 2.5 goals at 2.50 odds from Bet365