Vissel Kobe VS Machida Zelvia

Host side Vissel Kobe has maintained rock-solid form recently, finding the back of the net across multiple fixtures to keep their attacking firepower at a highly competitive level. Only a small number of rotational players are sidelined with injuries, so their core first-choice squad is almost fully intact. Machida Zelvia are stuck in a major attacking dilemma, as their key frontline trio Yuki Soma, Koki Ogawa and Tetsuki Tezuka have all been called up for national team duty, leaving them no reliable finishing options up top. They have even blanked on the scoresheet across their last three consecutive matches. Their signature staunch defense remains their biggest strength though, with multiple straight clean sheets and very few goals conceded in recent outings. As the first leg of a two-legged knockout tie, Machida will prioritize a tight, low-risk defensive game plan on the road instead of pushing high upfield to take unnecessary gambles. Even with Vissel Kobe holding clear home advantage, they will find it far from straightforward to break through the well-drilled visiting backline.