Vissel Kobe vs Machida Zelvia Prediction: Kobe Still Hopeful About Their Chances Of Entering The Top Three

Vissel Kobe will welcome Machida Zelvia to the Noevir Stadium in the 20th round of the J1 League. 

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

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Vissel Kobe

Form: LWDLL

The defending champions have performed below expectations this season. The team might be on the brink of falling out of the title race as they sit outside the top three. After 19 rounds, they currently occupy fourth place with 33 points and are six points adrift of first-placed Machida Zelvia. 

Approaching this match, Kobe have dropped ten points from a possible 15 in their last five matches (L3, D1, W1) and come into this match in poor form. In the last round, they succumbed to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Gamba Osaka away from home. 

Machida Zelvia

Form: DWLWW

Everything's been smooth sailing for the J2 League champions, as they have started the current J1 League season on a positive note and well beyond expectations. Currently, they are positioned at the top with 39 points amassed. They are two points ahead of the second- and third-placed Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka, respectively. 

Approaching this match, Go Kuroda's men have avoided defeat in their last two matches and have lost just one of their last nine matches (W6, D2). In the last round, they played out a goalless draw against Avispa Fukuoka at home, thwarting their chances of making it two wins in a row after coming off a dominant 3-1 away triumph over Yokohama F. Marinos. 

Match Facts

• Vissel Kobe have won three of their last six home matches in the J1 League.
• Machida Zelvia have conceded a goal in four of their last six matches in the J1 League.
• Vissel Kobe averages 1.33 goals per game when playing at home, and Machida Zelvia averages 1.56 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

This will be the second meeting between these two sides in the J1 League. In the previous fixture, Vissel Kobe came out on top with a 2-1 victory away from home. 

Expert Betting Tips

For a team that had won four straight matches, Vissel Kobe's sudden poor form comes as a surprise, and they come into this match seeking to redeem themselves in front of their boisterous supporters. However, they've been inconsistent at home, with four wins, four losses, and a solitary draw in their last nine matches.

Machida Zelvia, on the other hand, has been relatively stable, but they too have had their own flaws, failing to secure wins consistently. Their away form has been consistent, going unbeaten in their last four matches (W3, D1) while suffering just one defeat in their last nine matches overall. 

The home side are favorites with bookmakers in this impending encounter and are expected to walk away with all three points. However, this could turn out to be a close and hard-fought encounter, which is why we anticipate that either side will be content with a point. Therefore, support the home side in the double chance market to win or draw combined with the total under 3.5 goals.

• 1X & TU 3.5 for 1.72
• Both Teams To Score - Yes 1.90
• Full-time Result - Draw for 3.30