Missed absolutely nothing yesterday with my internet down, so no harm done.
The japanese Emperor’s Cup begins proceedings today. Cup games are difficult at the best of times, but in a league I rarely visit, well…… I’ll have a look at the shorties and see if there is any value we can eek out.
No defeat in last 6 at home in all competitions , sees Osaka scoring 3-2-7-3-1-2. Consistent goalscoring presently.
Osaka have an excellent record in the Emperor’s Cup AT HOME which suggests their attitude towards it. Since 2007, they have only been beaten once in 90 minutes. Funnily enough they were beaten in extra time in November 2011 by today’s opponents. In 90 minutes Osaka led 1-0 and 2-1 before a 2-2 equaliser, then lost 2-3 in extra time. Only 2 defeats in the Emperor’s cup home and away in 90 minutes suggests league woes could be put to one side at home today?
Only 1 defeat in last 7 for Mito sees them on a reasonable run of unbeaten form. In their last 13 away matches, however, they have lost lost 9, drawn 2, won an Emperor’s Cup match 2-2 in extra time,and won 1 away 1-2 with an 86th minute goal. 3 of Mito’s last 4 Emperor Cup matches have gone to extra time twice and penalties once. This suggests a defensive tack in 90 minutes and hold on for extra time. 4 of their last 5 matches away in the Emp Cup have gone to extra time /penalties, including that 2-3 v Gambo Osaka.
As to 90 minutes, then, they don’t look like they’ll win, but they are probably priced too high to lay. The draw might be value here particularly if Osaka score first. Mito seem adept at forcing extra time in this competition.
Defeats in the J1 league have come largely at the hands of top 10 sides.
Only 1 defeat in the last 7 in all competitions, scoring 1-3-7-2-1-2-5. At home, in all competitions, Kashima rarely lose. They have only lost 3 of their last 17 at home, 2-3 to Grampus care of an 86th minute goal, 0-1 to Albirex, and 1-2 to Yokohama
Only 2 defeats in the emperor’s cup since 2007 in 90 minutes suggests they like this competition and field a strong side. A slight note of caution December 2011 saw Kashima go 0-1 down in the Emp Cup to another J2 club. Perhaps 0-1 could be an insurance bet today?
Kashima have conceded 1 goal in 8 of their last 9 home Emp Cup matches, so note that.
Tottori are 2nd bottom of J2 league and current form in all competitions reads DLLWWDLWL – inconsistent. Only 2 wins in last 24 away matches, featuring 19 defeats says it all .
LWLW in their rare Emp Cup forays sees 2 wins against J2 league opponents and defeats away to J2 and J1 sides in 90 minutes.
it is Tottori’s poor away form which might be the clincher here. Kashima could really let loose if they scored 12 to no reply against 2nd and bottom in J1 league. What could they do against 2nd bottom in J2 league?
0-1 saver for me on Tottori though just incase.
3pm – Slavoj Vysehrad v Teplice – 1.21 away