Machida Zelvia are in the midst of a great run
Machida Zelvia are now on a run of four straight victories that has seen them climb into the upper reaches of the table.
The form of Yuki Soma has been key to this run, with the striker having scored four of Machida Zelvia’s nine goals across their last five fixtures. Takuma Nishimura has provided an able support to Soma, with the veteran attacker having netted six goals in 18 appearances this season, but his side’s ability to keep things tight at the back has been just as important.
Since Go Kuroda took charge of Machida Zelvia in February 2023, he has led the club up the standings and has seemingly installed a strong defensive identity in his squad. For those interested in the Machida Zelvia vs Shimizu S-pulse prediction, having conceded just 1.40 goals per game on home soil in J League 2025 this term, Machida Zelvia have posted a record of three wins, one draw and six defeats in 10 home matches this campaign.
Shimizu S-pulse need to get on a roll
Machida Zelvia are one of the more pragmatic clubs in the J League 2025, setting up to be solid in possession and disciplined in their shape, but they will face a very different proposition on Saturday when they come up against Shimizu S-Pulse’s attacking brand of football. The visitors tend to push their fullbacks high up the field and try to utilise their pace and verticality to break the game open, often in a 4-3-3 or similar formation.
This Machida Zelvia vs Shimizu S-pulse preview highlights that the approach has been effective at times for Susumu Watanabe, who took over at Shimizu S-Pulse in April 2023, but the team have struggled for consistency in the J League 2025 campaign, currently sitting in 14th spot with just 27 points from 22 games. Koya Kitagawa has once again carried the attacking burden for the Shizuoka-based side, but his eight goals in 22 league appearances aren’t enough for a side that could really benefit from another striker.
Expect a close match
Shimizu S-pulse have won just three of their 11 away games so far in J League 2025, drawing two and losing six, averaging just a goal per match. In fact, they are winless in their last two away league contests, drawing 1-1 at Nagoya Grampus Eight and suffering a disheartening 0-2 home defeat to Kashiwa Reysol.
The Machida Zelvia vs Shimizu S-pulse prediction is tricky because Machida Zelvia are eighth in the J League 2025 table after taking 34 points from their 22 matches and have won two and lost one of their last three home league outings, suggesting that they could be improving. Their most recent three results have been a 4-0 away victory over Albirex Niigata, a 2-1 home win over Kashima Antlers and a 2-1 victory at Shonan Bellmare.
