Shonan Bellmare vs Albirex Niigata

Lemon Gas Stadium forms the backdrop for a bottom-half J1 League clash between Shonan Bellmare and Albirex Niigata.

Another season-long dogfight against the drop is on the cards for Shonan after they’ve won a league joint-low two of their opening 14 J1 League fixtures (D5, L7). Considering they’ve won none of their last ten competitive outings (D4, L6), including six defeats in a row, it’s no wonder they commence this round only a point clear of the relegation spot. Shonan’s defensive frailties have seen them concede two or more goals in six of their last seven games in all competitions, which has been the case in six of their eight most recent H2H meetings with Albirex in all competitions. If that’s not enough to dampen Shonan’s spirits, Satoshi Yamaguchi’s men have lost their last three top-flight home outings by an aggregate score of 8-3.

Meanwhile, visiting Albirex Niigata come into this contest amid a rotten spell of form, having managed just one win in their last nine competitive matches (W1, D1, L7), including three defeats on the trot ahead of the weekend’s kick-off. It goes from bad to worse for the visitors, as they’ve succumbed to four straight losses on the road after a goalless draw at J1 League pacesetters Vissel Kobe in early April, conceding 2+ goals three times in that run. A slow start would likely put this encounter beyond Albirex’s reach, considering they’ve lost all three away league games in which they’ve fallen behind this season, highlighting the importance of breaking the deadlock. But as they’ve failed to score on their last two top-flight travels (L2), that could prove easier said than done.