Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
In the 21st round of the J1 League, Avispa Fukuoka will host Albirex Niigata. The match is scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at 9:00 AM Central European Time, and I have a betting tip for this showdown.
Avispa Fukuoka vs Albirex Niigata: Match facts and head-to-head
- Avispa Fukuoka have won their last two matches and claimed three victories in their last four games.
- Albirex Niigata have also won their previous two fixtures and boast three wins in their last four outings.
- Avispa Fukuoka have scored at least once in four consecutive matches.
- The team is unbeaten in four straight home games.
- Albirex Niigata have conceded 27 goals – the second-worst record in the league.
- 35% of Avispa Fukuoka’s matches this season have been clean-sheet wins, while for Albirex Niigata, that figure is 22%.
- The previous meeting between these teams ended with a 1-0 victory for Avispa Fukuoka.
Avispa Fukuoka vs Albirex Niigata: Match preview
Avispa Fukuoka currently sit mid-table, having collected 26 points from 20 rounds, placing them 11th. They trail third place by eight points and are seven clear of 18th—the relegation spot. Fukuoka have kept clean sheets in their last two wins: 2-0 and 1-0. At home, the side are unbeaten in four matches and have suffered just one defeat in ten home fixtures.
Albirex Niigata find themselves in a much tougher spot. The club is currently bottom of the table—18th, firmly in the relegation zone. They have 19 points from 19 games. However, Niigata have a game in hand over Tokyo, who sit 17th. The gap is just one point, so that extra match could prove crucial. Niigata have also won their last two matches, but on the road, they have suffered two consecutive defeats.
Probable lineups
- Avispa Fukuoka: Obata; Tashiro, Ando, Kamijima; Hashimoto, Akino, Matsuoka, Fujimoto; Konno, Wellington, Kitajima
- Albirex Niigata: Tashiro; Fujiwara, Fitzgerald, Inamura, Hashimoto; Gomes, Hoshi, Miyamoto, Okumura; Hasegawa, Taniguchi
Prediction
Avispa Fukuoka are solid at home, with just one loss in ten matches. I believe they'll extend their unbeaten streak, especially against a team at the bottom of the table. I'm backing a Fukuoka win at odds of 2.31.
