TIPS - Yokohama FC VS Vissel Kobe

[(Yokohama FC) Strength]:
1. Yokohama FC are now 19th in the J1 League table, deep in the relegation zone, with the huge stress of avoiding relegation. Facing strong Vissel Kobe in this Cup game, they hope to take home advantage to at least remain unbeaten in regular time, ending their recent decadence.
2. Yokohama FC eliminated FC Machida Zelvia, who performed well in the league this season, in the 3rd round of the J.League Cup. In the last phase, they knocked out Cerezo Osaka in two legs and advanced. The team recorded 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in the last 8 J.League Cup games.
3. Yokohama FC surprisingly beat Vissel Kobe 1-0 on the road in the first encounter this season. In their last 4 meetings, the former secured 3 victories, with a better mentality.

[(Yokohama FC) Weakness]:
1. Yokohama FC were held to a draw by Tokyo Verdy in the last league game, showing declining recent form. They received only 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses in the previous 6 games.
2. Yokohama FC's home win rate is less than 30% in the league so far. At home, they conceded multiple goals per game, revealing poor home performances.
3. Yokohama FC scored only 8 goals in the previous 10 competitive games, averaging less than 1 goal per game, indicating poor attack.
4. Yokohama FC won only 2 of the last 10 games and lost 5 of the previous 6 home ones in AH.

[(Vissel Kobe) Strength]:
1. Vissel Kobe are 3rd in the league standings, being in the title race. As the J.League Cup title favorites, they are highly motivated to take the lead in the two-legged knockout match.
2. Vissel Kobe have been in stable recent form, remaining unbeaten in the previous 4 competitive games with 2 wins and 2 draws. They performed well in both the league and the Cup, showcasing commendable overall performances.
3. Vissel Kobe won 1-0 over Yokohama FC away from home this season. In the previous 9 away encounters, the former had the upper hand with 6 wins and 3 losses.

[(Vissel Kobe) Weakness]:
1. Vissel Kobe drew the last two games, which were not played at home, in a row lately. In the Emperor's Cup match, they were held to a draw by an inferior-league team and played a penalty shootout. The team won only one of the last 4 matches, which were not at home.
2. Vissel Kobe had poor overall performances in the J.League Cup last year, drawing two games against the inferior-league teams in regular time. They were even knocked out by Kataller Toyama in the second round.
3. Vissel Kobe scored only 5 goals in the last 6 league games, with an average of less than 1 goal per game.
4. Vissel Kobe won only 2 of the previous 10 games and lost 3 of the last 4 away ones in AH.

[Tips]:
Yokohama FC have an inferior ranking and were in declining form lately, but they hold a better mentality in terms of H2H records.

They received 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 encounters, including a 1-0 away win over Vissel Kobe in August.

Besides, forward Adailton dos Santos da Silva joined the team and brought a certain vitality to their offense.

Vissel Kobe have superior overall strength and were in stable form recently, but their performances were unsteady, especially in the Cup, where they drew with the inferior-league teams in regular time many times, failing to show the strength of J1 League powerhouses.

Moreover, the increasingly fierce title race in the J1 League might also distract the team.

Thus, Yokohama FC are expected to remain undefeated in this first leg at home.

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