Tokyo Verdy v Machida Zelvia

Tokyo Verdy vs Machida Zelvia Preview

Mid-table outfit, Tokyo Verdy, will play host to this season's surprise package in the Japanese top flight, Machida Zelvia, on Sunday evening at their Ajinomoto Stadium with the hosts looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games in the J-League, while Machida Zelvia will be going in search of a third league win on the trot and in turn extend their lead at the top of the domestic top flight table.

It's been 16 years since Tokyo Verdy last appeared in the Japanese top flight and the newcomers have made a decent fist of things so far in this season's campaign as they occupy 10th place in the J-League table, picking up seven wins, 10 draws and losing just five games within their total of 22 games played to date.

However, it looks like being a season of consolidation for Hiroshi Jofuku's side as they trail third placed Gamba Osaka by a 10-point margin heading into this weekend's fixtures and the hosts have been hampered somewhat by being involved in 10 stalemates.

Tokyo Verdy do possess a stubborn looking record on home soil though at their Ajinomoto Stadium as they have been handed just one defeat so far this term along with picking up three wins and seven draws; victories against Jubilo Iwata, Consadole Sapporo and Nagoya Grampus have all been against teams situated in the lower half of the J-League table.

Machida Zelvia continue to defy the odds in their first ever season in the domestic top flight as the visitors still remain top of the J-League standings where they possess a five-point cushion over second placed Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka respectively, and they bring a five-match unbeaten sequence into this upcoming clash.

Recent wins against Yokohama F. Marinos, Gamba Osaka and Nagoya Grampus, the former two victories both being away from home, have been complemented with picking up points in draws with Avispa Fukuoka and Vissel Kobe, while the bigger picture shows Machida Zelvia have been dealt just one defeat in their last 12 matches overall.

That rare slip-up came in the form of a 3-1 loss at home to Albirex Niigata but otherwise, Go Kuroda's side have continued on their merry way by picking up eight wins within these previous 12 games which has helped maintain their current pole position in the table.

Even more impressive is the fact that Machida Zelvia have suffered just the single defeat to date on their travels whilst collecting eight wins within their 11 outings on the road so far this term.

Tokyo Verdy v Machida Zelvia Verdict

Both Tokyo Verdy and Machida Zelvia have produced solid campaigns this season but it's the visitors who look the more likely here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Machida Zelvia @ 1.90

Other side bets worth considering:

Machida Zelvia win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.00

Correct Score: Machida Zelvia 1-0 @ 6.50