![Vissel Kobe play an important game tomorrow](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 800 533"></svg>)
The J1 League returns with a crucial fixture tomorrow as Vissel Kobe take on a struggling Shonan Bellmare side at the Shonan BMW Stadium in Hiratsuka. Neither side is high on confidence going into this game and will hope to return to winning ways in the J1 League.
Vissel Kobe has failed to meet expectations this season and has won only one of its last five fixtures despite having several star figures in the team. The Kobe-based outfit is currently in tenth place in the J1 League and cannot afford to drop any more points this season.
Shonan Bellmare find themselves in a dire position in the J1 League and are rooted to the bottom of the table. The Hiratsuka-based team has only four points from 12 games and are in desperate need of a victory.
Shonan Bellmare vs Vissel Kobe Head-to-Head
Vissel Kobe have a significant historical advantage in this fixture and have seven wins from the 14 games that they have played against Shonan Bellmare. The home side have only three victories and need to improve their record against Vissel Kobe.
Shonan Bellmare picked up a surprise 3-1 victory against Vissel Kobe in this corresponding fixture in 2019 and will have to manage a repeat in tomorrow's game. Daiki Sugioka and Leandro Araujo were the heroes of the day for Shonan Bellmare and will have to step up against Vissel Kobe tomorrow.
Shonan Bellmare form guide in the J1 League: L-L-L-L-L
Vissel Kobe form guide in the J1 League: D-D-W-L-D
Also Read: Serie A 2019/20: Team of the season
Shonan Bellmare vs Vissel Kobe Team News
Shonan Bellmare
Tsukasa Umekasi and Yuki Ohashi are currently injured and will not be able to play a part in tomorrow's game. The home team are in dire need of a boost in morale and will have to be at their best against Vissel Kobe.
Injured: Tsukasa Umekasi, Yuki Ohashi
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Vissel Kobe
Vissel Kobe will be unable to field centre-forward Junya Tanaka as the veteran striker is currently struggling with a hamstring injury. Brazilian striker Douglas is likely to lead the line for Vissel Kobe against Shonan Bellmare. Andres Iniesta was rested in the previous game and might be included in the starting XI on Saturday.
Injured: Junya Tanaka
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Shonan Bellmare vs Vissel Kobe Predicted XI
Shonan Bellmare Predicted XI (3-1-4-2): Kosei Tani; Kazunari Ono, Keisuke Saka, Kazuki Oiwa; Daiki Kaneko; Naoki Yamada, Mitsuki Saito, Kazuaki Mawatari, Takuya Okamoto; Hirokazu Ishihara, Yuto Iwasaki
Vissel Kobe Predicted XI (4-3-3): Hiroki Iikura; Gotoku Sakai, Reo Osaki, Dankler, Daigo Nishi; Andres Iniesta, Sergi Samper, Hotaru Yamaguchi; Kyogo Furuhashi, Douglas, Keijiro Ogawa
Shonan Bellmare vs Vissel Kobe Prediction
Shonan Bellmare have a massive hill to climb to stand a chance in this fixture and the likes of Yuto Iwasaki and Hirokazu Ishihara will have to find their feet in the final third. Vissel Kobe are likely to dominate the ball in this game but Shonan Bellmare will have their chances.
Sergi Samper, Andres Iniesta, and Douglas will play pivotal roles for Vissel Kobe. The away side are undisputed favourites in this fixture and will have to make the most of their superior squad in tomorrow's match.
Prediction: Shonan Bellmare 1-3 Vissel Kobe
Also Read: 10 Greatest Football Managers of all time
Published 04 Sep 2020, 21:06 IST