Machida Zelvia vs Tochigi City — Tips & Analysis

Tochigi City +1.5: Machida grind games out rather than blow teams away, and that is why Tochigi can stay close. Machida have tied 7 of their last 19 games and won by three or more only 3 times. They have lost just once in 19 and let in under a goal a game, so the quality is not in doubt. The schedule is the problem. This is their third game in seven days, and they lost 2-4 at their own ground to Kashiwa on 20 September, days after a midweek cup game. Changes are likely. Tochigi are a proper side at this level. They have won 9 of their last 19 and score almost 2 goals a game. On the road they score and let in just over a goal a game. They have already won 4-1 at Consadole Sapporo and 3-1 at Sagan Tosu this season. That is a team that gets on the scoresheet. A 2-1 Machida win is the read, and Tochigi stay close enough in that game. The risk is that Machida are still playing well underneath the results. They have created plenty in their last two games and have won by 2 or more in 8 of their last 19. Tired legs and a stubborn opponent still point to a narrow game.