Yokohama F Marinos vs Celtic predictions for this friendly pre-season game that will be played on Wednesday. Celtics are continuing their preparation for the new season with this Japan’s trip. Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.
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Match Live Wednesday, 19h July at 11:00 am In:
Yokohama F Marinos vs Celtic Predictions
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Celtic’s Japanese Journey: A Look Ahead at the Yokohama F Marinos Showdown
Key Stats
– Celtic began their pre-season with a victory over Fraserburgh and an impressive 4-1 win over Portimonense.
– Anthony Lopes, Marinos’ top-scorer, has notched up 15 goals in 21 J1 League matches.
As we approach the peak of summer, football clubs worldwide are honing their skills in preparation for the upcoming season. Among these, Scottish giants Celtic are set to venture to the Land of the Rising Sun for a challenging match against J1 League contender Yokohama F Marinos.
Celtic’s Japanese Excursion
In an effort to elevate their performance ahead of the 2023-24 season, Celtic are crossing continents. Their journey will see them confront Yokohama F Marinos at Nissan Stadium on Wednesday, a showdown in the midst of their pre-season exertions. A Celtic-Postecoglou reunion is on the cards; the Yokohama F Marinos were once commanded by Ange Postecoglou, former boss of the Scottish team.
Yokohama’s Struggles
Despite an awe-inspiring winning spree that lasted from May 28 to July 2, Yokohama F Marinos’ fortunes have soured. Recent outings have seen them relinquish three games in succession, with two stinging losses at their home turf against Machida Zelvia and Kawasaki Frontale. The team now finds itself unseated from the top of the J1 League, ousted by Vissel Kobe on goal difference.
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Their cup run has been equally disappointing, with the Marinos falling to lower-tier opposition for the second consecutive year. The defeat has seen them lose their grip on their J1 League title, as Vissel Kobe has bypassed them on goal difference with a game in reserve.
Celtic’s Confident Steps
Conversely, Celtic’s pre-season trials have been marked by resilient performance. Their journey began with a nail-biting penalty-shootout victory over Fraserburgh, followed by a goalless draw against Portimonense in Portugal. Their second encounter with Portimonense, however, ended in a dominant 4-1 victory, featuring goals from Reo Hatate, Liel Abada, Ben Summers, and Oh Hyeon-gyu. Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, has been full of praise for the team’s stellar display and beneficial warm-weather training spell.
Celtic’s last expedition to Japan occurred in 2006 under Gordan Strachan’s leadership. It was during this venture that Shunsuke Nakamura, former Japanese star, featured for the Hoops in a 3-0 defeat against his former team, Yokohama F Marinos.
Team News and Preparations
Yokohama F Marinos have ample time to regroup, with an 18-day respite following their encounter with Celtic. Key player Anthony Lopes, who has netted 15 goals in 21 J1 League matches this season, is expected to spearhead their attack. They will, however, be missing Yuta Koike, Ryuta Koike, Ryotaro Tsunoda, and Hiroki Iikura due to injuries.
On the other hand, Celtic have been dealt a blow with right-back Alistair Johnston’s two-month absence following ankle surgery. This has added to Celtic’s growing injury list, which includes Cameron Carter-Vickers, Anthony Ralston, Albian Ajeti, and Mikey Johnston. Despite these setbacks, new recruits Odin Thiago Holm and Marco Tilio are likely to play significant roles in the upcoming match.
Match Predictions
With all these factors in mind, we now delve into the predictions for this exciting clash.
- Celtic to Win: The Marinos’ recent dip in form and Celtic’s strong pre-season performances suggest that the Scottish side has a high chance of emerging victorious.
- Correct Score – 2-1 to Celtic: Considering the attacking prowess of both sides and recent performances, a narrow victory for Celtic could be on the cards.
- Goalscorer Prediction – Anthony Lopes: As Marinos’ leading goal-scorer with 15 goals in 21 appearances, Anthony Lopes is a strong contender to find the net at least once during the match.
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