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Gamba Osaka will host Shonan Bellmare at the Panasonic Stadium Suita on Wednesday in the last 16 of the 2024 Emperor's Cup. The home side have hit a rough patch in the J1 League in recent weeks and will hope they can find better luck in the domestic cup this week.
They faced third-tier outfit Miyazaki in the previous round of the Emperor's Cup and picked up a 2-1 win, with Israel international Neta Lavi opening the scoring 10 minutes into the game before Takashi Usami came off the bench to score the game-winner 15 minutes from normal time.
Meanwhile, Shonan Bellmare endured a difficult run of results in the first half of the season but have now found good form and will be looking to carry that momentum into cup action on Wednesday.
They beat Tokyo Verdy last time out in the Emperor's Cup, picking up a narrow 1-0 win with Akito Suzuki scoring the sole goal of the game midway through the second half. They faced Cerezo Osaka at this stage of the tournament last season, winning the game on penalties and will be targeting victory here as well.
Gamba Osaka vs Shonan Bellmare Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Wednesday's game will mark the 40th meeting between Gamba Osaka and Shonan. The hosts have won 24 of their previous matchups while the visitors have won half that tally. There have been three draws between the two teams.
- The visitors have lost just two of their last seven games in this fixture.
- The hosts are without a clean sheet in their last six games in this fixture.
- Gamba Osaka have the joint-best defensive record in the J1 League this season with a goal concession tally of 20.
Gamba Osaka vs Shonan Bellmare Prediction
Gamba Osaka are on a run of three consecutive draws and have lost just one of their last seven competitive outings. However, they are winless and goalless in their last two home matches and will be desperate for a better showing this week.
Shonan's latest result ended a six-game winless streak and they will be looking to bounce back here. They have won their last three games on the road and should extend that streak on Wednesday.
Prediction: Gamba Osaka 1-2 Shonan Bellmare
Gamba Osaka vs Shonan Bellmare Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Shonan Bellmare to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Three of the last four matches between the two teams have produced more than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: YES (Both sides have found the back of the net in three of their last four matchups)
