Shimizu S-pulse vs Machida Zelvia Best odds and tips

Shimizu S-Pulse are having a mixed spell of form that has seen them win three and lose two of their last five J League games. Susumu Watanabe has been in charge since April 2023 and he will need to steady the ship after his side lost their last two games. S-Pulse were thumped 0-3 at home by Nagoya Grampus and then lost 1-0 at Kashiwa Reysol. The club have been more positive at home this season, creating chances for their in-form striker Koya Kitagawa, who has 6 goals in 15 J League 2025 appearances. Machida Zelvia have been in poor form lately, winning only one of their last three away games and losing two. Go Kuroda has done a superb job since taking over in February 2023 and built a team that has been a force on their travels this season.

Zelvia have won five, drawn one and lost two of their eight away games in J League 2025, conceding an average of 0.75 goals per game. Their away record shows a narrow gap in the table with S-Pulse. Creative midfielder Yuki Soma has been their star performer, providing five assists in 14 J League 2025 appearances, while Takuma Nishimura has four goals in 11 appearances as their focal point in attack. S-Pulse won the last meeting between these clubs 3-2 at home in J League 2025 while the two previous games were split with one win apiece for the home side. Zelvia have never won away to S-Pulse, but they are in good form on their travels this season and could snatch a point.

The odds for this game are a little odd as the hosts are favorites at 3.1 with a draw available at 3.4 and Machida Zelvia not listed as favorites. Home advantage should swing it for S-Pulse, but Zelvia are a well-organized side on their travels and have enough pace to counter-attack through Soma and Nishimura. A draw could be on the cards, but we’re taking the hosts to just edge it in a close encounter. Both teams have been leaking goals lately, but both have been scoring, so ‘Both Teams to Score’ is also a tempting alternative bet.