Shonan Bellmare vs Urawa Red Diamonds Predictions

• Shonan Bellmare just escaped relegation last season, winning a relegation playoff against J2 side Tokushima.
• Urawa Red Diamonds finished in 14th place last season, winning just nine of their 34 games.
• Games featuring Shonan failed to beat the 2.5 goal line 52% of the time with the side averaging 1.17 goals per game.
• Urawa games failed to beat the 2.5 goal line 58% of the time with the side scoring just 34 goals.

Can Shonan Bellmare get off to a winning start?

Shonan Bellmare had a season to forget last year, finishing third from bottom and having to face Tokushima in a playoff to determine who would play in J1 and J2 this season. Shonan could only manage a draw in that game but that was enough for them to retain their place in J1 due to league rules which state a draw gives the team with the higher standing the win.

Last season, Shonan lost 18 of their 34 games but the most disappointing aspect of their season was the 63 goals they conceded along the way, the second highest total in the league. The side did well at the other end of the pitch, scoring more than 5th placed, Cerezo Osaka but they will need to improve massively this season if they hope to see more success.

Can The Red Diamonds shine on opening weekend?

Urawa Red Diamonds had a poor year last time out, finishing in 14th place and struggling to make an impact on the league. They won just nine times out of 34 attempts, battling relegation and eventually pulling clear but there was much disappointment around the season and expectations are higher this year.

Urawa managed to score just 34 times last season, an average of just a goal a game with the side really struggling to find the net enough to compete. They also conceded too many with their defence being breached 50 times, a rate of 1.47 times per match. Expectations have grown among the fan base and this opening match will be a big test between the sides.

Which side will take the glory in the opening match of the new season?

This match doesn’t inspire much, especially as the season opener but there could be some moments of magic as two teams who didn’t fare as well last season come head to head. We don’t think there will be many however and we’re backing the game to not see too much goalmouth action with the 2.5 goal line failing to be beaten.

There shouldn’t be too many goals in this match and we think a single goal will settle things between these two sides. Despite struggling for goals last year, Urawa Red Diamonds are a better side than their poor showing last year suggested and we’re backing them to pick up 1-0 win this weekend.