Kobe against Machida is a high press meeting a side that has no interest in playing through it, and rain is forecast, which suits the direct team. Kobe have been strong at home, but away and in busy weeks their press has leaked chances while creating little. Machida concede very few clean chances and score from many different places. This match looks tight and physical, with Machida controlling it without the ball.
Machida under Kuroda win by suppressing chances. In their last four matches with stats they allowed about 1.8 shots on target a game, and their goals come from everywhere: Lavi, Ogawa, Mae, Mochizuki, and Nishimura with three off the bench. They go long, win second balls and attack the space behind a high line.
Kobe under Skibbe have won four from four at home in their last ten, with Osako scoring and Diego's long throws as their most reliable route. Away at Kawasaki and against Kashiwa and Jeonbuk, though, their press gave up far more than it created. Erik, who made the cross for Osako's goal at Kawasaki, is reported barred against his former club, and Iino came off with a suspected concussion, so the wide supply is thinner.
Kobe still keep the press, the long throws and Muto, but Machida are a set-piece and long-throw side themselves, built to defend exactly that. Machida's Yengi has a knock, but Nishimura, Ogawa and Duke cover the role.
I expect a tight first half, with set plays and second balls deciding more than combinations on a wet pitch. After the break Machida's bench tends to arrive, against a Kobe side on its third match in eight days. That's why I'm siding with Machida.
