Kawasaki Frontale vs Vissel Kobe 09/09/20

09 September 2020

Kawasaki Frontale welcome Vissel Kobe to the Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium, looking to replicate the performance that brought them a 6-0 win in the YBC Levain Cup a week ago.

The hosts have gone from two consecutive league games without a win (D1, L1) to back-to-back triumphs, both of which yielded a margin of 2+ goals and saw Kawasaki score at least three at FT. Additionally, Toru Oniki’s men have won all six of their previous J1 League home fixtures, the last five each via at least a two-goal margin. Free-scoring Kawasaki are the only side in the Japanese top-flight to smash a 20-goal barrier on home turf, netting an average of 2.85 goals per home match. Also, only two teams have conceded fewer home league goals than ‘Frontale’ (5). Particularly lethal in the late stages, they have found the net inside the final 15 minutes of play in three of seven J1 League home outings, without conceding once in response.

Meanwhile, the visitors are not enjoying the best of times, having managed just one win from their previous seven league matches (W1, D4, L2), with the last three ending in a draw. Yet, Kobe have been an exciting team to watch during that seven-game sequence. Each saw both teams on the scoresheet, with six containing over 2.5 goals. But, ‘Ushi’ enter this round as one of just two teams yet to lose away from home this term (W3, D4), conceding one goal or less in five of seven such fixtures. Quick-start Kobe have scored the opening goal (if any) in four of seven J1 League trips so far, going on to win just two of them though (D2).