FC Tokyo’s lead atop the J-League keeps getting bigger. While nearly every other team in the top half of the table failed to win last weekend, the leaders picked up another three points to extend their lead to seven points.
However, FC Tokyo have a potentially tricky matchup this week as they host Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Sanfrecce have been handful away from home this season and will be hoping to bring the leaders back closer to the chasing pack.
Two of FC Tokyo’s top challengers, Kashima Antlers and Yokohama F. Marinos, also have interesting games that deserve SBOBET J-League fans’ attention. But despite the J-League 2019 odds leaning toward a win for those two sides, it likely won’t be as easy for either one as many would believe.
FC Tokyo vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima
FC Tokyo just continue to take care of business in the J-League. They picked up yet another win last weekend as they edged out Vegalta Sendai at home, 1-0, care of a Diego Oliveira penalty. The Brazilian has now scored a league-leading 12 goals this season.
It was by no means an impressive performance from FC Tokyo, who were outshot by the visitors, who also had more possession. But a win is a win, no matter how they got it.
FC Tokyo suffered a shock defeat at home to Ventforet Kofu in the Emperor’s Cup, their second defeat in four home matches. And now, they face a dangerous opponent in fifth-place Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Sanfrecce had their two-match winning streak snapped by a 1-1 draw with Gamba Osaka. However, their unbeaten run remains intact and is now at seven matches. They’ve lost just once in their last 10 matches (five wins, four draws) and have conceded just nine goals during that span.
Sanfrecce have been one of the most formidable away foes this season. They’ve won five, drawn three, and lost three in 11 away from home, tied for the second-best record in the league.
However, FC Tokyo have been absolutely imperious at home this season with 12 wins and two defeats with 27 goals scored and 10 conceded in 14 matches.
Something will have to give in this matchup, but it will be hard to bet against the leaders picking up another three points on home soil.
Oita Trinita vs Kashima Antlers
Aside from FC Tokyo, Kashima Antlers were the only other team in the top half of the table that won last weekend. As a result, they have now climbed up to second in the table.
Kashima picked up a huge 2-1 home win over fellow top-four side Yokohama F. Marinos in one of the marquee matches of last week. They scored in the first and the 87th minute to secure the huge victory. Kashima then put four past Tochigi in their Emperor’s Cup tie.
However, Kashima’s away form has let them down this season. They’ve won just three of 11 matches, with four draws and four defeats.
But they have a great opportunity to improve upon that record as they face the struggling Oita Trinita whose recent J-League 2019 results have been very disappointing.
The Azzurro could only manage a draw against an equally slumping Vissel Kobe last week, which means they’ve now won just twice in their last 10 outings (four draws, four losses).
Although, both of those wins have come at home, where they’ve also conceded just seven goals in 11 matches. So if there’s a chance at a major upset this weekend, this match might be it.
Yokohama F. Marinos vs Cerezo Osaka
Yokohama F. Marinos are now down to fourth after losing back-to-back matches, with the most recent one coming in their defeat to Kashima Antlers. But they will fancy their chances of finally getting back to winning ways as they return home this weekend.
Marinos are right behind FC Tokyo and Kashima Antlers in terms of having the best home form. They’ve won seven of their 11 matches (three draws, one loss) and recently reeled off a streak of six consecutive home wins. That streak ended surprisingly in their match against Shimizu S-Pulse a couple weeks ago.
Yokohama’s matches this season have usually involved a lot of goals; they’re the second leading scorers with 36 goals and have also let in 28. However, they now face an opponent in Cerezo Osaka which specialises in low-scoring affairs.
There have been a mere 38 goals scored in the Sakura’s 22 matches thus far (21 for, 17 against), which is easily the lowest total in the league.
With Marinos’ defence also much better at home — just eight goals conceded in 11 home matches — this match has the makings of a closely contested, low-scoring affair.
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