Three different shapes of match today, and in each one the pre-match picture leans a clear way. A leader with a clean closing record meets a side that has been losing sets steadily. A derby where the home side finally has its roster back. And a road side whose numbers are stronger than its latest, misleading result.
In the volleyball match, KAL Jumbos sit top of the table at home and have won six straight, nearly all by three sets to nil or three to one, with only one of their last ten going the full distance. Kepco lost its last two with a negative set-point margin, including a straight-sets defeat last time out. KAL closes sets with a deeper attack, and I expect a three-set or four-set win. That's why I'm siding with KAL to win by two sets or more.
In Chiba, the Jets' poor record came with a depleted squad. Brandon Randolph was officially removed from the injury list this week and Watanabe is back after missing weeks. Altiri Chiba, meanwhile, are without two long-term imports, and the Jets took three of the last four meetings, including two comfortable home wins. Altiri shoot well lately, but that sample is small and partly against weak sides. I'm siding with the Chiba Jets at home.
In Sendai, Alvark have the better season-long and last-ten scoring and defence numbers. Their recent loss came in a different competition with a short roster, and a two-day gap after a short flight is not a back-to-back. Sendai have rest and home court, but their wins have mostly been narrow ones over middling sides. The flow should stay close early and Alvark's quality should show later. I'm siding with Alvark to win on the road.
