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J1 League | Gameweek 23
Jul 14, 2024 at 10am UK
Ajinomoto Stadium

Tokyo Verdy
0 - 1
Machida Zelvia

FT(HT: 0-1)
Fujio (6')
Fujio (68'), Oh (77'), Oh (79')

Preview: Tokyo Verdy vs. Machida Zelvia - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's J1 League clash between Tokyo Verdy and Machida Zelvia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The next stop in what is turning into a fairytale 2024 J1 League season for Machida Zelvia will be the Ajinomoto Stadium to face Tokyo Verdy on Saturday morning.

Tokyo Verdy are aiming to bounce back from their Emperor's Cup exit in midweek, while the visitors are looking to extend a five-match unbeaten run in the top flight.


Match preview

J1 League match between FC Machida Zelvia 1-3 Albirex Niigata at Machida Gion Stadium, on June 1, 2024 (Imago)© Imago

While we have come to expect the likes of the Kashima Antlers and defending champions Vissel Kobe to be near the top of the table, few would have anticipated that 22 matches into the season, newly-promoted Machida Zelva would be leading the way.

Their rise has been phenomenal - this is a team that was competing in the third tier as recently as 2015 and had never managed to finish higher than fourth place in the J2 League until last season.

A solitary first-half goal by Hokuto Shimoda was enough for Zelvia to see off Nagoya Grampus 1-0 at home last weekend, marking their fifth consecutive match without defeat (W3 D2 L0), while also maintaining their five-point cushion above giants Kashima Antlers, who beat basement club Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on the same day.

Key to Go Kuroda's side's success this season has been their defence which has conceded just 17 goals in 22 games - the joint-fewest in the top flight so far alongside Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe.

Interestingly, Zelvia have been a much better side on the road than at Machida GION Stadium, having only lost one of their 11 away games to date and earning 26 points from a possible 33, which is the best record in the division.

Tokyo Verdy's Tomoya Miki in action on June 2, 2024 [IMAGO]© Imago

Meanwhile, Tokyo Verdy's return to the J1 League has not been as eye-catching as their newly-promoted opponents', but they can be well proud of what they have managed so far, currently rounding out the top half of the table and 10 points clear of the drop zone.

While their Emperor's Cup hopes ended in midweek, Verdy are gunning for a third league match without defeat following a 2-1 away win over Yokohama F Marinos and a 1-1 draw to Cerezo Osaka last week.

Against Cerezo, Hiroshi Jofuku's side fought valiantly to hold onto their lead after being reduced to 10 men, but their opponents piled on the pressure, outshooting them 12-1 in the second 45 before finally breaking through late in the half.

In contrast to Zelvia, the bulk of Verdy's points have come at home, where they have not tasted defeat since their first home match of the season and are currently unbeaten in their last 10 games (W3 D7 L0).

That positive home record will also give them major confidence to exact their revenge here, as it was this opponent that handed them a 5-0 hammering in the reverse fixture back in May, which remains their heaviest loss of the season.

Tokyo Verdy J1 League form:

Machida Zelvia J1 League form:


Team News

Fuki Yamada was the player who was sent off for a tackle on Capixaba against Cerezo and he will begin the first match of his suspension this weekend.

Yuto Tsunashima seems to have completely shaken off the knock he was carrying having featured in midweek, and he could replace Yamada alongside Hijiri Onaga and Hiroto Yamami in midfield.

Fittingly, winger Yu Hirakawa took his final bow by setting up the winner for Zelvia last week. The 23-year-old has since departed Machida to join Championship outfit Bristol City.

The visitors are also unable to call upon Takuya Yasui, Min-kyu Jang and Sang-ho Na, all of whom are carrying serious injuries and are expected to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.


Tokyo Verdy possible starting lineup:
Vidotto; Taniguchi, Chida, Hayashi; Saito, Tsunashima, Onaga, Inami, Miki, F Yamada; G Yamada

Machida Zelvia possible starting lineup:
Tani; Mochizuki, Dresevic, Shoji, Hayashi; Araki, Sento, Shimoda, Erik; Duke, Fujio


SM words green background

We say: Tokyo Verdy 1-2 Machida Zelvia

While Tokyo Verdy have been one of the most difficult teams to beat on their home patch, they now face the side with the league's best away record and are unbeaten in their last six matches on the road.

Additionally, the visitors completely outplayed this opponent in the reverse fixture, and while this match is unlikely to be as lopsided as the last, we do still feel Zelvia will come away with the points.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Tokyo Verdy vs Machida Zelvia

Tokyo Verdy
9.1%
Draw
36.4%
Machida Zelvia
54.5%
11
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Bristol City manager Liam Manning before the match on March 5, 2024
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Machida Zelvia26155637201750
2Kashima AntlersKashima Antlers26145743321147
3Sanfrecce HiroshimaHiroshima261210446252146
4Gamba OsakaGamba Osaka26137628181046
5Vissel KobeVissel Kobe26136739251445
6Cerezo OsakaCerezo2691163228438
7Avispa Fukuoka2691072625137
8FC Tokyo2610793535037
9Yokohama F MarinosYokohama26105114141035
10Kawasaki FrontaleKawasaki2681084135634
11Urawa Red DiamondsUrawa259794035534
12Nagoya GrampusNagoya Grampus26104123032-234
13Tokyo Verdy2681083238-634
14Albirex Niigata2688103639-332
15Kashiwa ReysolReysol257993036-630
16Shonan BellmareShonan Bellmare2678113639-329
17Jubilo Iwata2677123443-928
18Kyoto Sanga2677122542-1728
19Sagan Tosu2673163248-1624
20Consadole SapporoConsadole2637162552-2716


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