Avispa Fukuoka
- Avispa Fukuoka have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five games, while Vissel Kobe have won two and lost three of their last five games in all competitions.
- Avispa have conceded 13 goals in their four home games across all competitions this season.
- The home side arrive off the back of a 2-2 draw with JEF United Ichihara Chiba at home and a 2-1 away win over the same side, and they have shown enough bite in transition to suggest that they'll come at Kobe in this contest.
Vissel Kobe
- Vissel Kobe have averaged 3.17 goals scored and 4.00 goals conceded per 90 minutes on their away games so far.
- Kobe, on the other hand, are set up with a higher line, more bodies in the press and a greater tempo of vertical play under Michael Skibbe, which should make for an interesting tactical battle.
Head-to-Head
Kobe have the better head-to-head grip with two wins from the last three meetings, while Avispa are winless in their last three home games against them.
Key Players
Avispa's Shosei Usui has been their sharpest attacking outlet with two goals in the last five, while Matheus Thuler has been the main finisher for Kobe with 2/4 goals during the same period.
Betting Insights
- Kobe are the slight favorites for this at 2.0, but we think they're too short and we're going to take the value on the home team at 3.9 and the tie at 3.2.
- With that in mind, we think this is a game for the Under 2.5 market at 1.5 and BTTS No at 1.62.
Prediction
- Avispa Fukuoka and Vissel Kobe have been in mixed form so far in this new season and we're not expecting a goal-fest when the two sides lock horns at the Best Denki Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
- However, this will be a close match-up.
