Imabari FC favourites to extend Ehime FC’s road woes
Imabari FC are 11th in the J2 League 2025 table with 28 points from 22 games, 12 more than their visitors this Saturday, who are struggling in 20th place with just 16 points from the same number of matches.
Keiji Kuraishi has been working to instill structure and resolve to the home side since taking over in February 2025 and it’s starting to work, but they have still been unable to string together a run of good results in the second half of the season.
Our Imabari FC vs Ehime FC prediction highlights that Imabari FC are winless in their last 5 league games (D3, L2).
Hosts’ pragmatism against Ehime FC’s attack
Imabari FC are a disciplined and compact side that likes to set up a mid-block and be patient in their build-up play. They will be very tough to break down for Ehime FC, who like to play in a more attacking and free-flowing manner, preferring to press high up and exploit the width of the field in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system.
The contrast in tactical approaches could lead to an entertaining cat-and-mouse derby, and this Imabari FC vs Ehime FC preview indicates the fact that each side has won once and drawn once in their last 3 head-to-head meetings suggests this one will be tight.
Shinya Aono has overseen a morale-boosting 2-0 win at home to Renofa Yamaguchi in the J2 League 2025 since he took over in May, but their form is still patchy, with just 1 win, 1 draw and 3 defeats from the club’s last 5 J2 League 2025 matches.
Imabari FC’s Marcus Vinicius the main goal threat
Imabari FC’s top scorer is Marcus Vinicius with 8 goals in 21 J2 League 2025 appearances, while Patrick Verhon has scored 2 of Imabari FC’s 6 goals in their most recent 5 games. Ehime FC’s leading scorer is Ryo Sato with just 3 goals in 19 J2 League 2025 outings, so this Imabari FC vs Ehime FC prediction suggests you shouldn’t expect this to be a goal-fest.
Imabari FC have won only 1 of their 12 home games in J2 League 2025 (D6, L5) and have averaged 1.08 goals scored and 1.33 goals conceded per game. They have won none of their last 3 at home (D1, L2).
Imabari FC are the clear favourites at odds-on, but 5.00 is a decent price for an away win for Ehime FC. For those looking at Imabari FC vs Ehime FC odds, there could be some value depending on your angle.
