Albert
·
10d
My Prediction
Albirex Niigata by 1
Now here are the facts: Sanfrecce Hiroshima has the upper hand when you look at the regular season record, which is a reasonably decent showing if I may say so, standing at 5-2-4 compared to Albirex Niigata's rather less impressive 1-6-5.
While we're playing the numbers game, Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Goalkeeper, Keisuke Osako, a fine lad, is not quite matching his Albirex Niigata counterparts, Kazuki Fujita and Daisuke Yoshimitsu, in terms of ratings, though he's just a smidge behind.
Albirex Niigata's top players, including the likes of Motoki Hasegawa and Soya Fujiwara are showing decent form recently, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima brings to the field Sho Sasaki and Hayato Araki amongst others, who are showing similar skill and dedication to the cause.
You'd be a fool to ignore past matchups. And what they suggest is that there’s not much between these two teams. With both recent matches having ended up all square, they are as tough to separate as conjoined twins.
Given the recent results of both teams, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, surprisingly, have been showing less consistency than their forthcoming opponents, tilting the field slightly towards Albirex Niigata.
With all the number crunching and pondering, my verdict is that the scales tip ever so slightly towards Albirex Niigata. Let's put it this way: if I were stranded on a desert island and had to pick a side, it'll be them.
Albert’s Prediction: Albirex Niigata by 1