by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Mar 31, 2023
Time: 1 a.m. ET
Venue: Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium, Japan
Where to watch:
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: NL
Season record
Avispa Fukuoka: 3-1-1
Yokohama FC: 0-1-4
Avispa Fukuoka vs Yokohama FC preview, prediction and analysis
On April 1, 2023, Avispa Fukuoka and Yokohama FC will go head-to-head in a J.League fixture at the Level5 Stadium Fukuoka. Both teams have had a mixed start to the season and will be eager to secure three points to push themselves up the table.
Avispa Fukuoka, who finished in 14th place in the J1 League last season, have made a solid start to the campaign, picking up two wins and a draw in their opening four games. Their attacking trio of Juanma Delgado, Yuya Yamagishi, and Tsukasa Morishima has been in fine form, with the trio combining for six goals in the opening matches of the season.
Yokohama FC, on the other hand, have had a more difficult start to the season. The team, who narrowly avoided relegation from the J1 League last season, have picked up just one win in their opening four games. However, the team's new manager, former Japan international Shinji Ono, has brought a fresh approach to the club, and the team has shown signs of improvement in recent matches.
One of the key battles in this match will be between Avispa Fukuoka's attack and Yokohama FC's defense. Avispa Fukuoka have shown their attacking prowess in the early stages of the season, and their attacking trio will be looking to continue their strong form against Yokohama FC. However, Yokohama FC's defense has been relatively solid this season, conceding just five goals in their opening four games. The team's new signing, center-back Takahiro Yanagi, has already made a strong impression, and his partnership with veteran defender Yuji Rokutan will be crucial in stopping Avispa Fukuoka's attack.
Another important factor in this match will be the battle in midfield. Avispa Fukuoka's midfield duo of Koki Kiyotake and Daiki Matsui have been in fine form this season, and their ability to control the midfield and create chances for their attackers will be a major threat to Yokohama FC. However, the team's own midfield duo of Takumi Shimohira and Shun Nakamura have also shown their quality, and their ability to break up play and start attacks will be crucial in stopping Avispa Fukuoka's attack.
The Level5 Stadium Fukuoka is known for its lively atmosphere, and Avispa Fukuoka's supporters will be hoping to see their team put on a strong performance at home. However, Yokohama FC have shown that they are a team on the rise, and their own supporters will be hoping to see their team continue their improvement under Ono's leadership.
Overall, this promises to be an intriguing matchup between two teams with different ambitions for the season. Avispa Fukuoka will be looking to build on their solid start to the season and push for a higher place in the table, while Yokohama FC will be hoping to continue their improvement and avoid another relegation battle. With plenty of quality on both sides, this match is sure to provide plenty of entertainment for fans of Japanese football.
In terms of team news, Avispa Fukuoka will be without defender Yuta Mishima, who is serving a suspension. However, they will still have a strong squad to choose from, with the likes of Delgado, Yamagishi, and Morishima all expected to start. Meanwhile, Yokohama FC have no major injury concerns, and Ono will likely stick with the same lineup that has served the team well in recent matches.
Prediction
Yokohama is struggling beyond all measures out of the gates and I certainly don't trust them to do anything. Avispa Fukuoka 4, Yokohama FC 1
Avispa Fukuoka, who finished in 14th place in the J1 League last season, have made a solid start to the campaign, picking up two wins and a draw in their opening four games. Their attacking trio of Juanma Delgado, Yuya Yamagishi, and Tsukasa Morishima has been in fine form, with the trio combining for six goals in the opening matches of the season.
Yokohama FC, on the other hand, have had a more difficult start to the season. The team, who narrowly avoided relegation from the J1 League last season, have picked up just one win in their opening four games. However, the team's new manager, former Japan international Shinji Ono, has brought a fresh approach to the club, and the team has shown signs of improvement in recent matches.
One of the key battles in this match will be between Avispa Fukuoka's attack and Yokohama FC's defense. Avispa Fukuoka have shown their attacking prowess in the early stages of the season, and their attacking trio will be looking to continue their strong form against Yokohama FC. However, Yokohama FC's defense has been relatively solid this season, conceding just five goals in their opening four games. The team's new signing, center-back Takahiro Yanagi, has already made a strong impression, and his partnership with veteran defender Yuji Rokutan will be crucial in stopping Avispa Fukuoka's attack.
Another important factor in this match will be the battle in midfield. Avispa Fukuoka's midfield duo of Koki Kiyotake and Daiki Matsui have been in fine form this season, and their ability to control the midfield and create chances for their attackers will be a major threat to Yokohama FC. However, the team's own midfield duo of Takumi Shimohira and Shun Nakamura have also shown their quality, and their ability to break up play and start attacks will be crucial in stopping Avispa Fukuoka's attack.
The Level5 Stadium Fukuoka is known for its lively atmosphere, and Avispa Fukuoka's supporters will be hoping to see their team put on a strong performance at home. However, Yokohama FC have shown that they are a team on the rise, and their own supporters will be hoping to see their team continue their improvement under Ono's leadership.
Overall, this promises to be an intriguing matchup between two teams with different ambitions for the season. Avispa Fukuoka will be looking to build on their solid start to the season and push for a higher place in the table, while Yokohama FC will be hoping to continue their improvement and avoid another relegation battle. With plenty of quality on both sides, this match is sure to provide plenty of entertainment for fans of Japanese football.
In terms of team news, Avispa Fukuoka will be without defender Yuta Mishima, who is serving a suspension. However, they will still have a strong squad to choose from, with the likes of Delgado, Yamagishi, and Morishima all expected to start. Meanwhile, Yokohama FC have no major injury concerns, and Ono will likely stick with the same lineup that has served the team well in recent matches.
Prediction
Yokohama is struggling beyond all measures out of the gates and I certainly don't trust them to do anything. Avispa Fukuoka 4, Yokohama FC 1
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
