Shonan Bellmare vs Athletico Paranaense 07/08/19

7 August 2019

Shonan Bellmare and Athletico Paranaense go head-to-head at the Shonan BMW Stadium Hiratsuka for the J. League YBC Levain Cup / CONMEBOL Sudamericana Championship Final.

A match at the Shonan BMW Stadium Hiratsuka will see the two sides staking their claims for the title in this annual intercontinental game for this first time in their respective histories. Both teams have had identical returns from their last four outings (W2, L2), although the Japanese outfit goes into this fixture off the back of a 3-2 home win over Kashima Antlers, while the Brazilians sustained a 2-0 away loss to Boca Juniors last time out.

It’s been a tough ride for the Bellmare over the past couple of months, as they’ve suffered seven defeats in their last ten games (W3, L7). Frustratingly for them, six of those defeats have seen them concede two or more goals, while six saw them score under 1.5 match goals too. But, all three of Shonan’s previous triumphs have come with a lot of fanfare in the second half, with Cho Kwi-Jea’s players scoring seven of a total of eight goals in those clashes after the halftime break. Two of those wins have arrived at home, helping Shonan bring a five-game home winless run to a halt (D1, L4) and put together two home victories for the first time since March.

On the other hand, all four of the visitors’ previous outings have not seen both teams score, with three of them featuring under 2.5 goals. Furacão da Baixada have struggled for form when away from home over the past couple of months, registering just two wins in their last ten away games (W2, D2, L6). Five of those defeats have been accompanied by at least two goals in Athletico’s net, while just one saw them reciprocate. Interestingly, though, both of Athletico’s triumphs in the same span have come by a multiple-goal margin and a clean sheet. When it comes to their last four away matches, most of the action took place in the second half, with eight of a total of ten goals in that period coming after the break.