With all four teams technically still alive in Group E, we take a look at the opening encounter between Melbourne Victory and Kawasaki Frontale earlier this evening.
Melbourne Victory found themselves in deep trouble against the reigning J League Champions Kawasaki a week ago, twice coming from behind in a game dominated by the Japanese. Kawasaki will have thought themselves unlucky not to collect all three points, as Leroy George slotted home an injury time penalty to rescue a vital point for the Victory.
Tonight, things may be different though, with the J League season heading to its fourth game this weekend, you feel Kawasaki will now be starting to hit closer to peak fitness and will have taken valuable lessons from letting Melbourne back into the game twice in the opening leg.
Frontale responded to the unlucky draw against Melbourne with a 2-0 domination of Gamba Osaka on the weekend, with Brazilian midfielder Eduardo Neto scoring in the first minute in front of his home fans before Akihiro Lenaga made it two nothing. They now sit second in the J League with three games played.
Melbourne Coach Kevin Muscat is going to have his hands full tonight, and despite Melbourne playing at home at the rectangular stadium, they are still up in class here and will need to take their chances if they are to get something out of the game. With both teams needing a win tonight to stay in touch with Ulsan FC and Shanghai SIPG it is perhaps the visitors that pose the danger.
Prediction
Kawasaki for me, the better team and with the increased match fitness of late will be able to get the job done away from home. Melbourne are not without their chances, but they are unlikely to dominate the game and so the prediction is Kawasaki to win at odds of $2.25.
Below : If Melbourne are to get something from this game tonight, you fell this man, Albanian goal scoring machine Besart Berisha will have to figure prominently, like in the first leg.
Regards,
Football Commentator | Analyst
Perth, Western Australia.
