Albert
·
16d
My Prediction
Sanfrecce Hiroshima by 1I tell you, in this J1 League showdown, we've got your Gamba Osaka going up against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and oh boy, isn't it going to be a nail-biter?
Checking out the goalkeepers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Keisuke Osako has a slightly lesser rating at 6.40 with 5 saves, while Gamba Osaka's Jun Ichimori boasts a 6.75 rating with 4 saves. Nothing separating these two gloved gladiators really.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima are packing heat with players like Mutsuki Kato and Shunki Higashi delivering the goods. Kato's coming in hot with an 8.30 rating, a goal, and 2 shots on goal coupled with decent accuracy. Higashi ain't no slouch either, solid 7.75 rating, a goal and a shot on target to boot. And we can't ignore Tolgay Arslan, contributions might not be glittering but a solid team player.
Gamba Osaka, on the other hand, have their props in Takashi Usami and Shinnosuke Nakatani. Usami's been great with a rating of 7.70, pasted a goal and a shot on target. Nakatani, though goalless, gave us 2 shots on target with a spectacular 88.3% accurate passing. Let's not forget Kota Yamada, consistent if nothing else.
Coming to their melee records, the last skirmish these teams had ended in a stalemate. Historically, though, Hiroshima edges out Osaka with a 19-11-7 record to Osaka's 17-12-8. As recent as their last matches are concerned, Osaka's steered their ship pretty well with a commendable win against Albirex Niigata compared to Hiroshima's explosive victory over Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
Boy, I tell you, it's going to be a slugfest! But if I've got to put my money where my mouth is, I'd say Sanfrecce Hiroshima's going to clinch this one. They look a touch above Osaka with their form and squad.
Albert’s Prediction: Sanfrecce Hiroshima by 1