J-League 2 and Cup

[Napoleon Solo]

J-League 2
Montedio Yamagata - FC Gifu		20/03/08 04:00	1,55	3,50	4,75
Sagan Tosu - Cerezo Osaka		20/03/08 04:00	3,15	3,20	1,95
The Spa Kusatsu - Yokohama FC		20/03/08 04:00	3,65	3,05	1,85
Vegalta Sendai - Avispa Fukuoka		20/03/08 04:00	2,15	3,20	2,75
Mito Hollyhock - Ventforet Kofu		20/03/08 08:00	2,85	3,15	2,10
Shonan Bellmare - Sanfrecce Hiroshima		20/03/08 08:00	3,45	3,20	1,85
Tokushima Vortis - Ehime FC		20/03/08 08:00	2,30	3,15	2,55

	J-League Cup
	Kawasaki Frontale - JEF United Chiba		20/03/08 05:00															1,55		3,50	4,75
	Nagoya Grampus Eight - Kyoto Purple Sanga		20/03/08 06:00															Purple Sanga ', 1, 217259, 'True', 3, 'Tip', '1')"> 1,95		Purple Sanga ', 0, 217259, 'True', 3, 'Tip', 'X')"> 3,10	Purple Sanga ', 2, 217259, 'True', 3, 'Tip', '2')"> 3,25
	FC Tokyo Verdy - Jubilo Iwata		20/03/08 07:00															2,75		3,00	2,25
	Shimizu S-Pulse - FC Tokyo		20/03/08 07:00															1,90		3,30	3,20
	Yokohama F Marinos - Oita Trinita		20/03/08 07:00															1,65		3,40	4,10
	Albirex Niigata - Omiya Ardija		20/03/08 08:00															1,85		3,25	3,40
	Urawa Red Diamonds - Vissel Kobe		20/03/08 08:00															1,45		3,70	5,20

[Napoleon Solo]

Japanese J-League 2 - Montedio Yamagata v FC Gifu

Montedio have started the season with one win and one defeat and they've played some very good football in both games. They had some great early chances in their first game and restricted promotion candidates Sagan Tosu to few scoring opportunities.

The second game produced the shock of the round, Montedio running out as 3-1 winners at Cerezo Osaka. Cerezo were poor but, to be fair, Montedio fully deserved their win having created plenty of chances and generally been better in their build-up play.

Gifu have started with a draw and a loss in their inaugural J2 season, and were thoroughly outplayed in both. Ventforet Kofu dominated their home game against Gifu in the first game, but some poor finishing kept their scoring down whilst defensive lapses allowed Gifu an equaliser and almost a winner. It would have been thoroughly undeserved though!

The second match was similar, Gifu the home team this time but once against the match was dominated by their opponent, Vegalta Sendai outshooting them 14-5 but the score being kept down by some poor Vegalta finishing, the team having lost their best attacking players from last season.

Montedio have played some very good football so far and have been unlucky not to come away with more than three points from their two games so far. Gifu have been poor and were probably lucky to have one point from their two games.

Montedio Yamagata AH(-0.5) to beat FC Gifu @ 1.91 (Canbet) - 4 points

[Napoleon Solo]

Japanese J-League 2 - Mito Hollyhock v Ventforet Kofu

Mito have been unlucky so far, a 0-2 home loss to Cerezo was not fair on a team that out shot and sometimes outplayed a team fancied for promotion this season. Mito were similarly unlucky in their away match to a strong Avispa Fukuoka team, another promotion contender this season.

Ventforet Kofu have been somewhat disappointing so far this season after their relegation from J1 last season. They did dominate the home game against FC Gifu, but poor finishing and defensive mistakes let the unfancied J-League debutants grab a point (almost all three). A similar story was in evidence at home to Tokushima Vortis, Kofu creating plenty of chances but a poor display in front of goal costing them. Tokushima hardly threatened the Kofu goal all game.

Mito have been playing much better than their early results suggest, while Kofu have struggled in front of goal. They were also exposed at the back by a poor Gifu team who only managed 3 shots all game, scoring with one and almost winning the game with one of the others. Kofu may well be found out against a more attack minded Mito Hollyhock side.

Mito Hollyhock AH(+0.5) to beat Ventforet Kofu @ 2.01 (Canbet) - 2 points

[Napoleon Solo]

Not touching the cup without confirmed team news as teams are likely to rest players.

If you must have a bet on the cup though, it might be worth looking to see which teams do well/badly from season to season.

Nagoya Grampus generally tend not to give a monkeys, with 2 wins from their last 18 cup games. Kyoto may be worth chancing against them at 11/4.

Albirex Niigata usually do alright, at least at home, in the cup, whilst their opponents Omiya generally don't. Albirex are best priced 17/16.

Urawa Red Diamonds also have a great recent history in the cup, especially at home. They face Vissel Kobe who are generally pretty poor in the cup, but home and away. This game is given added significance as it's the first game since the inevitable sacking of coach Holger Osieck. Urawa best priced 3/5 to get their act together.

[kompressaur]

Japan - J2 Leaguebwin
05:00 FT Kusatsu 0-0 Yokohama FC (0-0)
05:00 FT Montedio Yamagata 3-5 FC Gifu (2-3)
05:00 FT Sagan Tosu 1-0 Cerezo Osako (0-0)
05:00 FT Sendai 1-0 Fukuoka (1-0)
08:00 FT Mito Hollyhock 1-0 Ventforet Kofu (0-0)
08:00 FT Shonan 0-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (0-1)
08:00 FT Tokushima Vortis 0-3 Ehime FC (0-2)