When: 12:00
Where: Japan. J1 League

Vissel Kobe
Vissel Kobe currently occupy 4th place with 37 points from 21 games. The team has scored 27 goals and conceded 21, resulting in a goal difference of +6. The last five games have been solid with three wins, one draw, and one loss. However, the team often lacks punch in forward play, as the attacking midfield leaves large gaps and the offense is frequently isolated. The defense proves vulnerable to quick counterattacks and shots from distance. Although they display some security at home, defensive weaknesses against well-organized teams are dangerous.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima are just behind in 5th place with 36 points and a better goal difference of +9 by scoring 26 goals and conceding only 17. Their last five matches have been mixed with two wins, one draw, and two losses. The team relies on a stable defense but often shows little creativity in attack and plays very cautiously. Crosses rarely reach the forwards, and the lack of pressing pressure allows opponents a calm build-up. The frequently used back-three formations create space in the wing zones, which makes them vulnerable to quick counterattacks. Delayed offensive transitions make the game predictable.

Injuries
Vissel Kobe are missing several key players, including Klismahn (unknown injury), Tominaga (metatarsal fracture), Muto (lumbar spine problems), and Hamasaki (shoulder injury), weakening quality in midfield and attack. Sanfrecce Hiroshima also have absences with Nakajima and Arslan, both with knee injuries, which reduces stability and creativity in midfield.

Head-to-Head
The last five direct encounters show a completely balanced picture with two wins each and one draw. Home advantage is not clearly effective here, as both teams have already won away games. The matches mostly featured few goals, suggesting a close and fiercely contested game.

Match Prediction
Both teams have clear offensive problems and tend toward cautious play. Vissel Kobe often control the ball but generate hardly any dangerous chances from it. Sanfrecce Hiroshima defend securely but are harmless and risk-averse in attack. The injuries and tactical weaknesses of both teams reinforce the impression of a rather defensive encounter with few goals. The bookmakers’ odds and previous direct matches confirm the expectation of a low-scoring game.

My tip: Under 2.5 goals (1.60)

When: 17:00
Where: Finland. Veikkausliiga

VPS
According to bookmaker odds, VPS is the favorite on home ground. The team plays offensively and aggressively at home, tries to control the game, and quickly get into the penalty area. Tactically, they probably use a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system to exploit the width of the field and apply pressure over the wings. The central midfielders often actively participate in the attack and create numerical superiority situations. However, too much offensive drive often creates gaps in midfield that allow fast counterattacks. Overall, VPS is a team that sets the tone at home and creates chances themselves.

Haka
Haka currently stands in 9th place in the table with 12 points from 12 games. The statistics show 14 goals scored and 22 conceded, indicating open matches. The guests' defense is very vulnerable; they have not kept a clean sheet in any away game recently. Tactically, Haka plays openly, often in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, and also tries to create offensive highlights via the wings. Defensive coordination leaves much to be desired, leading to many goals conceded from quick attacks. Haka's games are mostly high-scoring; over two-thirds end with more than 2.5 goals.

Injuries
Currently, no information is available about injured or suspended players for VPS and Haka. It is assumed that both teams will field their full squads.

Head-to-Head
The last five encounters between VPS and Haka were often high-scoring and exciting with a slight advantage for VPS. VPS won three of the five matches, Haka two. Especially at home, VPS shows a strong performance against Haka and usually has the upper hand there. The encounters are marked by many goals and open play.

Match Prediction
Considering the offensive playing style of both teams and Haka’s vulnerable defense, we expect a high-scoring game with several scoring opportunities on both sides. Nevertheless, the tendency leans toward a game with many chances but also some missed opportunities due to the defensive weaknesses on both sides, so overall not an extremely high number of goals will be scored. The bookmaker odds for under 3.5 goals at 1.40 reflect well that a moderately high-scoring game will take place without exceeding the 4-goal mark. Therefore, betting on under 3.5 goals is very sensible.

My tip: Under 3.5 goals (1.40)

When: 03:00
Where: Club World Cup Round of 16

Borussia Dortmund
The German top club Borussia Dortmund under coach Nico Kovac finished the Bundesliga season with five consecutive wins and is continuing its impressive unbeaten streak now in a new tournament. In the group stage, Dortmund earned seven points: a goalless draw against Fluminense, a spectacular 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns, and a narrow win against Ulsan Hyundai. Overall, the team now has ten games without defeat across all competitions. However, there is somewhat of a lack of consistency in attack, and the defense shows weaknesses on set pieces.

Monterrey
The Mexican club Monterrey under coach Domenec Torrent also remained unbeaten in the group but finished second behind Inter Milan. After draws against Inter and River Plate, they followed with a clear 4-0 win against Urawa, during which the team showed a strong spell with three goals in nine minutes. Torrent has restored the offensive power after Monterrey previously failed to win three games in a row. This is Monterrey's first test against European-style football, as they have not yet faced German clubs in official matches.

Injuries
Borussia Dortmund is missing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who is close to a move to Chelsea. Julian Brandt is questionable due to a wrist injury but is expected to start on the bench. Also included in the squad are backup players Beyer, Reina, and Duranville. Monterrey midfielder Rodriguez returns from suspension. After the convincing last win, coach Torrent might stick to his starting lineup despite experienced players Canales and Ocampos, who recently saw no playing time.

Head-to-Head
This is the first meeting between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey. Dortmund has never played a team from Mexico’s Liga MX, and for Monterrey, it is the first encounter against a German opponent.

Match Prediction
The outcome strongly depends on the tempo and structure set by Borussia Dortmund. The German side shows targeted offensive actions but remains reserved in converting chances. If Dortmund controls Ramos’ set pieces and stabilizes the midfield, a single goal could be enough for victory. Monterrey is dangerous on quick attacks but seems vulnerable against organized opponents. In a balanced duel, the advantage should lie with Kovac’s team. A possible result is a 1-0 win for Borussia Dortmund.

My Tip: Borussia Dortmund win (1.73)

When: 22:00
Where: Peru Primera

Juan Pablo 2
Juan Pablo 2 has so far struggled to show stable performances. The team was able to win against the top team Universitario, but at the same time lost to the weaker Comerciantes Unidos. They currently stand in 16th place and are still struggling with consistency.

Melgar
Melgar, on the other hand, is among the top three teams in the league, even though the team suffered its first defeat in eight games against Alianza Lima in the last match. Melgar overall shows a much more consistent form this season and rightfully can be found in the upper regions of the table.

Injuries
No information regarding injuries is available.

Head-to-head encounters
Detailed data on direct encounters is not available, but it appears that both teams play offensively and are dangerous in front of goal.

Match prediction
Both teams play offensively, but due to the defensive weaknesses of Juan Pablo 2 and the stability of Melgar, a game with fewer than 3.5 goals is expected. Spectators can expect a varied game, which is not likely to turn into a goal festival. Therefore, betting on under 3.5 goals at odds of 1.30 is recommended, as the match is not expected to be very high-scoring.

My tip: Under 3.5 goals (1.30)