Vissel Kobe
- Vissel Kobe are unbeaten at home in 2026 with 3 wins and 1 draw after 4 games at Noevir Stadium.
- Vissel Kobe have been the J League 2026 pacesetters with 16 points from their opening eight fixtures, three points ahead of 4th-placed Shimizu S-pulse.
- Michael Skibbe’s side are a pragmatic and possession-based team that do not often let opponents have the ball, pressing high up the field and looking to create numerical advantages in the wide areas.
- Vissel Kobe have won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
Shimizu S-pulse
- Shimizu S-pulse have failed to win, with 3 draws and 1 loss in their 4 J League 2026 away games to date.
- Shimizu are more of a transition-based side than a possession-based one, sitting compact and looking to spring into action on the counter with runners from midfield.
- Shimizu S-pulse have won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 matches.
Head-to-Head
- Shimizu S-pulse edged Kobe 1-0 in the reverse leg of this fixture five weeks ago in J League 2026, and the last two encounters between the sides have been split evenly, with each team claiming one win.
- S-pulse have never beaten Kobe away at Noevir Stadium, which gives the hosts an extra psychological advantage going into Wednesday’s clash.
Vissel Kobe
- Attacking midfielder Yoshinori Muto gives Kobe a real spark as well as running into the box from deep late in the game, while midfield dynamo Hotaru Yamaguchi controls the game and keeps the ball moving.
- Ren Komatsu is the most prolific attacker in the Kobe team with 3 goals in 8 J League 2026 appearances, and has scored three of Vissel Kobe’s last 10 goals in the competition.
Shimizu S-pulse
- Veteran playmaker Carlinhos Junior has been the conductor of their attacks and the team can be very dangerous on the break when they get it right.
- Se-Hun Oh is the club’s leading scorer with 3 goals in 7 J League 2026 outings.
- Midfield all-rounder Ryohei Shirasaki is the man to watch for box-to-box quality and energy.
Betting Insights
- Kobe have averaged 2.00 goals scored and 1.00 conceded at Noevir Stadium in J League 2026.
- Suggested bet: Kobe win & over 2.5 goals (around 1.9) with Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.75.
Prediction
We feel Kobe will win the battle and claim the full three points in 90 minutes .
