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Tokyo Verdy will invite Machida Zelvia to the Ajinomoto Stadium in the J1 League on Sunday. The visitors are at the top of the league standings with 46 points. They have a five-point lead and a game in hand over reigning champions Vissel Kobe.
The hosts have just one win in their last four games and after a 1-1 draw against Cerezo Osaka in the league last week, they suffered a 1-0 away loss to Shonan Bellmare in the Emperor's Cup on Wednesday.
The visitors extended their unbeaten streak in the league to five games last week with a comfortable 1-0 home win over Nagoya Grampus. It was their 14th win of the league campaign and the first one at home since May.
Tokyo Verdy vs Machida Zelvia Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have met 20 times in all competitions since 2010. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings with nine wins. The hosts have five wins against their local rivals and six games have ended in draws.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last four meetings against the hosts and registered a 5-0 win in the reverse fixture in May.
- Four of the last five meetings between the two teams have produced over 2.5 goals, with the visitors scoring 11 goals and the hosts finding the back of the net six times.
- Tokyo Verdy are unbeaten in their last 10 home games in the J1 League, with seven games ending in draws.
- Machida Zelvia have suffered just one loss in their away games in the J1 League this season, recording eight wins in 11 games.
- The visitors have the best defensive record in the league this season, conceding 17 goals in 22 games. They also have a decent goalscoring record, scoring 35 times in these games.
Tokyo Verdy vs Machida Zelvia Prediction
Verdy have just one win in their last four games, failing to score in two games in that period. They have suffered just one loss in their last 12 home games across all competitions and will look to build on that form.
Zelvia have been in good touch recently and are unbeaten in their last five league games. They have kept clean sheets in three of their last four league games and will look to build on that form. They have won two of their last three away meetings against Verdy, keeping clean sheets in these wins.
Considering the visitors' current form in the league and away record in this fixture, they are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Tokyo Verdy 1-2 Machida Zelvia
Tokyo Verdy vs Machida Zelvia Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Machida Zelvia to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Shota Fujio to score or assist any time - Yes
