Vissel Kobe welcome Shandong Taishan to Noevir Stadium for an AFC Champions League fixture on Wednesday. The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 1-0 victory over Urawa Reds in the J1 League over the weekend.
Yoshinori Muto's 16th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Taishan, meanwhile, claimed a 4-1 away win over Shenzhen Xinpengchang in the Chinese Super League. All five goals were scored in the second half, with Miljit Mewlan breaking the deadlock for the visitors in the 54th minute while Abduweli Behram drew the game level in the 69th minute. Pedro Delgado scored a brace while Pu Chen added a fourth goal in the sixth minute of injury time.
Choi Kang-Hee's side will turn their focus back to the continent and kick-started their continental campaign with a 3-1 home win over Central Coast Mariners. Kobe played out a goalless draw away to Buriram.
Vissel Kobe vs Shandong Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
- Vissel Kobe are unbeaten in their last 10 games across all competitions, winning eight games in this sequence.
- Four of Shandong Taishan's last six away competitive games have produced three goals or more.
- Kobe's last five competitive games have produced an average of 10 corner kicks per game.
- Shandong's last four games across competitions have been level at the break, with each of the last three being goalless at halftime.
- Four of Kobe's last five home games to produce a winner have been decided by a one-goal margin.
Vissel Kobe vs Shandong Prediction
Vissel Kobe climbed to second spot in the J1 League table and are now one point behind table-toppers Sanfrecce Hiroshima. They have won seven of their last eight competitive games, with the sole draw in this run coming in a disappointing stalemate with Buriram a fortnight ago.
Shandong, for their part, were comfortable in their continental opener but face a much sterner test in Japan this time around. They have lost four of their last seven away games.
Kobe are the favorites and we are backing the home side to claim a narrow win in addition to a clean sheet.
Prediction: Vissel Kobe 1-0 Shandong
Vissel Kobe vs Shandong Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Vissel Kobe to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score: No
Tip 3 - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Highest scoring half: Second half
Tip 5 - Over 8.5 corner kicks