The J League will move into round 17 this weekend, with Machida Zelvia attempting to extend their league at the top of the table.
Kashima Antlers will aim to reel in Machida, while Vissel Kobe can make a dent in the leaders points difference.
The last six matches between these teams were split three wins apiece. Machida Zelvia lost their last two matches in all competitions against Albirex Niigata.
Albirex will begin the weekend in 16th place. They lost their last two J League matches, both by 2-1 scorelines.
Machida are on a three-game winning streak. They won all three games by a combined score of 9-2. Machida are the joint-leading scorers in the J League with 27 goals in 16 games.
Kashima Antlers are chasing Machida Zelvia in the title race. They will begin the weekend on 32 points, three behind Machida. Kashima are on a three-game winning streak in the division. They outscored their last three opponents 7-1. Kashima have kept back-to-back clean sheets.
Yokohama F. Marinos will visit Kashima in desperate need of a win. Marinos are 13th in the standings. They failed to win five of their last six J League matches.
Despite Marinos’ poor recent form, they won their last four head-to-head matches against Kashima Antlers in all competitions. The clubs’ last two meetings finished with identical 2-1 scores.
The home team won the last three head-to-head games between Shonan Bellmare and Gamba Osaka in all competitions. The teams’ last two meetings finished with over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring goals.
Gamba Osaka are fourth in the league. They went unbeaten in their last five matches, winning four and drawing one. Gamba claimed a 1-0 win over FC Tokyo last time out.
Shonan Bellmare are in relegation trouble. They will begin round 17 in 18th place. Bellmare lost two of their last three matches in the J League. All three games saw Shonan Bellmare concede 2.0 or more goals.
The trend between Urawa Red Diamonds and Vissel Kobe in recent head-to-head matches was one of away wins. The last three matches between these clubs saw the away team win. Will that trend help Vissel Kobe this weekend?
Vissel are third in the standings and six points off first place Machida. Their title fight took a hit in recent weeks thanks to back-to-back losses. Vissel Kobe failed to score in both games, as they lost by identical 1-0 scores.
Urawa are sixth in the standings ahead of the weekend. They too are not in form ahead of the weekend, having failed to win their last two games, picking up one point from six. Urawa Red Diamonds are coming off a 2-1 home loss to Machida Zelvia.