When: 12:00
Where: Japan J1 League

Yokohama F. Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos currently stand at the bottom of the J1 League table with only 8 points from 15 games. With just one win this season and a goal difference of 11 scored and 23 conceded, they appear completely unstable. Especially the defense resembles Swiss cheese, which opponents easily exploit. Offensively, there is a complete lack of creativity and punch. To make matters worse, key players Reno Noguchi, Takuto Kimura, and João Paulo are also out long-term, worsening the situation. Recently, they have suffered five defeats in a row and face their home match under enormous pressure.

Vissel Kobe
Vissel Kobe present themselves far more stable and sit mid-table in seventh place with 24 points. They have seven wins and a positive goal difference of 16 to 14. Their last five games produced three wins and two losses, indicating some consistency. The team manages to create chances and also performs fairly well defensively. Although there are occasional concentration issues, overall they are much more mature and balanced than their hosts. Only one player is listed as questionable due to injury.

Injuries
Yokohama are missing three key players: Reno Noguchi (hamstring injury until June 2025), Takuto Kimura (ACL tear until November 2025), and João Paulo (tibial and fibular fracture). These long-term injuries significantly weaken the already weak team. Vissel Kobe have one injured player, Klismahn, whose recovery time is unclear, making Kobe's situation seem somewhat less critical.

Head-to-Head
The history of recent encounters between Yokohama F. Marinos and Vissel Kobe shows a balanced record with often high-scoring games. Both Yokohama and Kobe have won home and away matches in recent years. Many goals were often scored – final scores like 2:3, 1:3 and 1:2 indicate open and aggressive matches. Even though Kobe has won a few games lately, the fixture remains traditionally unpredictable.

Match Prediction
Objectively looking at the current form, Yokohama F. Marinos are caught deep in a crisis. The team looks helpless in defense and attack and is further weakened by many injured key players. In contrast, Vissel Kobe appear more settled and stable, although not flawless. Bookmakers clearly favor an away win for Kobe at odds of 1.90. Considering the table position, current form, and squad problems of the home team, a victory for the visitors is very likely. Vissel Kobe should be able to secure at least one win, although there is no guarantee of many goals.

My Tip: Win Vissel Kobe (1.90)

When: 12:00
Where: Japan J1 League

Kawasaki Frontale
Kawasaki Frontale currently occupy sixth place with 24 points from 15 games. They have scored 24 goals and conceded 14, resulting in a goal difference of +10. The recent five games show a mixed record with two wins, one draw, and two losses, indicating some inconsistency. On average, they earn 1.6 points per game. Offensively, the team displays phases of creative short-passing and good attacking moves down the wings. Defensively, there are frequent problems, especially against fast counterattacks, and the defense has shown vulnerability with gaps between the individual lines. Home advantage could offer a slight benefit, but defensive weaknesses and personnel absences diminish this confidence.

Urawa Red Diamonds
Urawa Red Diamonds are in fourth place with 29 points from 17 matches. With 21 goals scored and 15 conceded, they have a goal difference of +6. The last five games are positive with three wins, one draw, and one loss, suggesting a slightly better form than Kawasaki. The team plays rather pragmatically, defends compactly, and tries to maintain control over the game, but struggles to create many clear chances. Prepared for away games, they often focus on counters and set pieces to succeed.

Injuries
Kawasaki Frontale have important defenders injured, including Yu Kobayashi, Shintaro Kurumaya, Jesiel, and Geun-hyeong Lee. These personnel problems in central defense could lead to further disadvantages against Urawa. Urawa only have to do without Kai Shibato, with this absence being less serious comparatively.

Head-to-Head
Historically, matches between Kawasaki Frontale and Urawa Red Diamonds have often been hard-fought. In recent encounters, Kawasaki has had a slight dominance, but due to current fluctuations in form, a clear favorite is hard to determine. Typically, these are close games with few goals, which also points to a generally balanced encounter.

Match Prediction
Given Kawasaki Frontale's injury-related defensive weaknesses and Urawa Red Diamonds' generally stable, albeit offensively cautious style, it is likely that both teams will score at least once. Kawasaki will probably attack aggressively to collect important points at home but will remain vulnerable to conceded goals. Urawa have the potential to score through counters or set pieces, although clear chances are limited. Statistics support this assessment with about 53% of games having goals from both teams. Therefore, the bet "Both teams to score: Yes" at odds of 1.70 is highly recommended.

My tip: Both teams to score: Yes (1.70)

When: 20:00
Where: Saudi Arabia Pro League

Al-Wahda Mecca
Al-Wahda currently stands in 15th place in the table with a disappointing record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 18 losses from 32 games. With 40 goals scored and 64 conceded, their defense is extremely vulnerable. The team shows signs of offensive play but tends to have defensive weaknesses, leaving many spaces for quick counterattacks. Tactical discipline is lacking especially during transitions, which negatively affects stability. Home games are managed somewhat more securely, yet consistency is missing to be considered a serious force.

Al-Hilal Riyadh
Al-Hilal occupies second place in the standings with an impressive 22 wins, 5 draws, and only 5 losses out of 32 games. With 92 goals scored and 40 conceded, the team boasts an outstanding offense and a comparatively stable defense. The team usually plays in a 4-3-3 formation, controls the game with high ball possession and intense pressing, and relies on strong wing play. Al-Hilal also shows great composure and consistently high quality away from home. Injury-related absences can be compensated by squad depth, so the team can continue to perform at a high level.

Injuries
Al-Wahda has to do without Nawaf Al-Azizi (ACL tear) and Craig Goodwin (foot injury). Although Goodwin is an important winger, he is not irreplaceable. Al-Hilal is missing significant defender Yasser Al-Shahrani (tendon injury, out until the end of May), but these absences are well compensated by squad quality.

Direct Meetings
In the last five encounters between the two teams, Al-Hilal has clearly dominated with 4 wins and one draw. The last match ended 4-1 in favor of Al-Hilal, clearly underlining their sporting superiority. Previously, the visitors regularly prevailed and demonstrated their qualities both offensively and defensively.

Match Prediction
Considering the current form, table situation, the high-scoring nature of both teams’ games, and Al-Hilal’s dominant performance in direct duels, a goal by both teams is highly likely. Despite Al-Wahda’s strong defense, Al-Hilal will create many chances and score at least one goal. At the same time, Al-Hilal is likely to concede goals due to Al-Wahda’s weak defense, as the hosts occasionally exploit obvious spaces for their attacks. The odds of 1.53 on "Both teams to score: Yes" therefore represent a sensible betting option that fits the course of the match.

My tip: Both teams to score: Yes (1.53)

When: 20:00
Where: Playoff for promotion to Ligue 1

Metz
Metz finished the Ligue 2 season in third place and fought through the semi-final of the promotion playoffs against Dunkerque with a narrow 1-0 victory, which came late due to an own goal in the 93rd minute. The team showed numerical superiority in the final phase and managed to prevail with great determination. At home, Metz will try to play with even more confidence to lay the foundation for the second leg.

Stade Reims
Reims finished 16th in Ligue 1, just one point behind the safe 15th place. Away, the team showed a solid performance, suffering only three defeats in the last eight matches. With sufficient preparation time and better quality on paper, Reims is a serious opponent not to be underestimated.

Injuries
No specific information about injuries is available.

Head-to-Head Meetings
Since 2021, Metz and Reims have met six times. There were three draws, with Reims leading with two wins to Metz's one victory. The previous encounters have mostly been close, which promises a hard-fought start to the playoff series.

Match Prediction
It is expected that Reims, as the representative of Ligue 1, will dominate and at least not lose. Reims' away form is better than Metz's home form, with Metz being more of a home team in Ligue 2. The differences in class and the results of the direct meetings suggest that Reims will confirm their favorite role. Combined with the tactics in such important matches, where restraint prevails, we recommend betting on the double chance for Metz, as the team will show a strong fighting spirit at home and will at least not go down easily.

My tip: Double chance Metz (1.35)