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Machida Zelvia welcome Albirex Niigata to Machida GION Stadium for the second leg of their J League Cup quarterfinal tie on Sunday. The visitors hold a five-goal advantage in the tie following their 5-0 home win in the first leg in midweek.
Motoki Nagakura scored the first of his eventual four goals in the 16th minute while Yuji Ono added a 42nd-minute goal before his teammate seized the initiative with a hat-trick after the break. Shota Fujio was sent off for the visitors in the 32nd minute.
The winner of this tie will face either Ventforet Kofu or Kawasaki Frontale in the semifinal.
Machida vs Albirex Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Albirex Niigata have eight wins from the last 15 head-to-head games. Machida Zelvia were victorious on three occasions while four games ended in a share of the spoils.
- Four of the last six head-to-head games have produced three goals or more.
- Five of Zelvia's last six games across competitions have seen at least one side fail to find the back of the net.
- Niigata are unbeaten in their last six games across competitions (four wins).
- Zelvia have won just one of their last seven competitive games (three losses).
- Six of Niigata's last seven away games have produced less than three goals.
- Zelvia have won one of their last four home games across competitions (two losses).
Machida vs Albirex Prediction
Machida have one foot out the door in the J League Cup unless they can turn a five-goal deficit around in 90 minutes. Go Kuroda's side have been the toast of the season in what is their debut campaign in the top flight. However, they have struggled in recent weeks and now sit in second spot in the J1 League on goal difference and are on the cusp of elimination from the League Cup.
Niigata, for their part, can look ahead to the semifinal with their five-goal advantage. The visitors have been in fine form over the last few weeks, seeing them steer further clear of the relegation zone.
Although one side could nick a win, we are backing the spoils to be shared in a low-scoring stalemate.
Prediction: Machida 1-1 Albirex
Machida vs Albirex Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 1.5 goals
Tip 4 - Highest scoring half: Second half
