Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo by 1
Hello there, dear listeners. We've got an exciting J1 league matchup on our hands - Jubilo Iwata goes head-to-head with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. You can almost taste the tension indeed.
Between the sticks for Sapporo, we've got Takanori Sugeno who boasts a hefty seven rating with 13 saves under his belt. Jubilo Iwata seems eager not to lag behind with Ryuki Miura showcasing a 7.10 rating and 6 saves on his tally, although let's not forget Eiji Kawashima languishing back there with a 5.90 rating and merely 2 saves. If Miura's off for a cuppa, folks, you might want to bet your grandma's porcelain on it.
When it comes to the big guns, for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, we've got Ryota Aoki and Musashi Suzuki each with zero goals. Now, I don't know about you listeners but soccer typically requires scoring, so that's a tad concern. But don't take my word for it! Jubilo Iwata is no better with so many of their top players yet to find the back of the net this season, including but not limited to Jordy Croux, Hiroto Uemura and Ricardo Graça. Should have stuck to the spelling bee, lads!
In terms of historical faceoffs, the scales are rather tilted - Sapporo edged out Iwata with a 1-0 victory back in May. But as we all know, in football, it's not what you've done but what you'll do next, eh?
For what it’s worth, Iwata has been hit particularly hard by the recent string of, let's say less than stellar performances, including a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Machida Zelvia. Whereas on the other side, Sapporo seem to have found their footing with a solid 5-3 victory over Sagan Tosu. If momentum is anything to go by, then Sapporo is taking this one home.
Taking all of this into account, not forgetting our historical endeavors and the current form, I must say, Albert’s Prediction: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo by 1. Might want to save that porcelain after all.