Japanese J-League 2 - Montedio Yamagata v FC Gifu
Montedio have started the season with one win and one defeat and they've played some very good football in both games. They had some great early chances in their first game and restricted promotion candidates Sagan Tosu to few scoring opportunities.
The second game produced the shock of the round, Montedio running out as 3-1 winners at Cerezo Osaka. Cerezo were poor but, to be fair, Montedio fully deserved their win having created plenty of chances and generally been better in their build-up play.
Gifu have started with a draw and a loss in their inaugural J2 season, and were thoroughly outplayed in both. Ventforet Kofu dominated their home game against Gifu in the first game, but some poor finishing kept their scoring down whilst defensive lapses allowed Gifu an equaliser and almost a winner. It would have been thoroughly undeserved though!
The second match was similar, Gifu the home team this time but once against the match was dominated by their opponent, Vegalta Sendai outshooting them 14-5 but the score being kept down by some poor Vegalta finishing, the team having lost their best attacking players from last season.
Montedio have played some very good football so far and have been unlucky not to come away with more than three points from their two games so far. Gifu have been poor and were probably lucky to have one point from their two games.
Montedio Yamagata AH(-0.5) to beat FC Gifu @ 1.91 (Canbet) - 4 points