Machida Zelvia v Yokohama F Marinos

Machida Zelvia vs Yokohama F. Marinos Preview

Machida Zelvia made it three wins on the trot in the Japanese top flight after last weekend's 1-0 win on the road at Tokyo Verdy which in turn has maintained the hosts' position at the top of the J-League table, while Yokohama F. Marinos registered a comprehensive 4-1 home win against Kashima Antlers but nevertheless, the visitors parted ways with former Australian manager, Harry Kewell, after a string of poor results.

Machida Zelvia had previously posted important wins against fellow high-flyers, Gamba Osaka 3-1 away from home, as well as a 1-0 home win against Nagoya Grampus which have contributed to Go Kuroda's side's six-match unbeaten sequence in the domestic top flight.

The hosts have collected four wins within these previous six games which will no doubt give Machida Zelvia plenty of confidence for this upcoming encounter, while the bigger picture shows the J-League newcomers have been dealt just the one defeat in their last 13 games overall.

That rare loss was dealt out to the hosts in a surprising 3-1 defeat at home to Albirex Niigata but Machida Zelvia have also collected no fewer than nine wins within these last 13 games, seven of which have resulted in Over 2.5 goals.

Yokohama F. Marinos recently parted ways with former manager, Harry Kewell, citing poor results, a lack of respect shown to playing staff and ultimately ‘losing the dressing room' following four defeats on the trot.

Losses at the hands of Avispa Fukuoka, Tokyo Verdy, Sagan Tosu and Gamba Osaka, the latter being a particularly heavy 4-0 defeat on the road proved to be too much for the Yokohama board to bear and Kewell was shown the exit door.

John Hutchinson has taken over the reins on a temporary basis and he faces a very tough opening challenge as his side travel to the Machida Gion Stadium to take on the J-League leaders, Machida Zelvia, on Saturday.

Success has been limited to just eight wins throughout this season's J-League campaign to date for Yokohama F. Marinos who had enjoyed a successful season last term, finishing runners-up behind the J-League title winners, Vissel Kobe, but this season has been pretty much a write-off for the visitors.

Yokohama F. Marinos have managed to capture just four wins in their last 16 matches overall, slipping to a total of eight defeats within this period as well, so the prospects of an away win here for the visitors looks distinctly unlikely, especially as they have managed to muster just one win in their last eight outings on the road.

Machida Zelvia v Yokohama F. Marinos Verdict

There have been only two previous meetings between these two sides but Machida Zelvia have come out on top in 3-1 and 4-1 wins respectively.

Therefore, our main bet will be Machida Zelvia win @ 1.83

Other side bets worth considering:

Machida Zelvia win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.62

Correct Score: Machida Zelvia 3-0 @ 17.00