Urawa Red Diamonds

vs

Mito HollyHock

Preview

Urawa Red Diamonds

• Urawa have scored two or more goals in three of their last four competitive games in all competitions.
• Skorza likes a compact, solid defensive base, preferably in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and to control the pace of the game through possession and a disciplined approach.

Mito HollyHock

• Mito HollyHock’s transition to J1 life has not been an easy one with the promoted side taking just four points from four games in the J1 East group.
• However, there were good signs in their 1-1 home draw with JEF United with Kimori’s team looking compact at times with enough counter-attacking quality to make the home side work for a point.

Head-to-Head

• Urawa Red Diamonds have won both of the previous competitive games between the teams, most recently beating Mito 2-1 in the Emperor’s Cup.
• Mito HollyHock have conceded three or more goals in two of their last three J1 games.

Key Players

• The Blue Wings, who will be without a couple of key players for this game after Ryo Nemoto suffered a fracture and Uwabright Hayakawa required knee surgery, are 3.4 here and the draw is 3.48.
  • Ryo Nemoto - suffered a fracture.
  • Uwabright Hayakawa - required knee surgery.

Betting Insights

• Saitama Stadium 2002’s huge capacity will make for a intense environment that could be too intimidating for Mito’s players, while Red Diamonds are the clear favorites in the betting at 2.06.
• Urawa are the more likely winners here, but a result doesn’t look likely to be enough for a good return on the moneyline markets, so we’re taking the Over 2.5 goals option at 2.17.

Prediction

• A Urawa win looks more likely because Maciej Skorza’s tactical philosophy is probably better suited to maintaining a side at the J1 level than Kimori’s more pragmatic, survival-oriented approach.
• Expect goals given Urawa’s recent scoring form and Mito’s defensive lapses, so Over 2.5 goals is the preferred market.