In a clash between two teams experiencing contrasting runs of form in Japan’s top flight, Shonan Bellmare will host Avispa Fukuoka at the Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka on Wednesday.
Avispa Fukuoka has managed to climb out of the relegation zone in the J1 League table with three back-to-back victories, while Shonan Bellmare has endured a three-match losing streak which has seen them drop to eighth place.
The Hiratsuka outfit seems to have turned the corner in their fight for survival, securing three consecutive league wins and four victories in all competitions. They started by defeating Urawa Red Diamonds 3-2 with two injury-time goals, followed by a 1-0 victory against Tokyo Verdy in the Emperor’s Cup third round. They then thrashed Jubilo Iwata 5-0 with a hat-trick from Lukian, and most recently, they defeated Gamba Osaka 1-0 with Taiga Hata scoring the decisive goal, lifting them out of the bottom three.
Despite their 16th place standing in the J1 League, Shonan Bellmare will enter the match with renewed confidence and a desire to extend their winning streak to four matches.
On the contrary, Avispa Fukuoka has faced a dip in form, suffering consecutive 1-0 defeats against Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Tokyo Verdy. They currently sit in eighth place in the J1 League and will look to bounce back with a win on Wednesday to climb up the standings.
The match promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams heading in opposite directions in terms of form. Fans can expect an intriguing battle as both sides strive to secure a vital victory in the Japanese top flight.
