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Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
In what could be an enjoyable friendly showdown on Tuesday morning, Spanish giants Barcelona will travel to the New National Stadium when they meet Kobe.
Kobe
Starting with the hosts, last seen putting in another action-packed display as they clinched a 3-2 win against Tokyo on May 26th, Kobe are enjoying what has been a real purple patch. Although Takayuki Yoshida’s side might have been forced to settle for a downbeat bottom-half finish last season, the Cows have come roaring back this time around. Riding what has been a real wave of momentum, the Okayama-based outfit are unbeaten in each of their last seven appearances – a run that stems all the way back to a 3-2 loss against Yokohama on April 22nd. Looking to make another statement on Tuesday morning when they welcome the Spanish icons to town, Kobe have certainly found a real clinical edge in the final third. Including a lively 2-2 draw away at Nagoya last month, Yoshida’s men have notched 14 strikes on their seven-match unbeaten flurry.
Team News
Despite being forced to once again settle for a spot on the bench against Tokyo last time out, there is no doubt that former Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta will feature on Tuesday morning. Likewise, ex-Flamengo starlet Lincoln dos Santos could be handed a full recall here.
Bagging a brace against Tokyo on May 26th and now notching three strikes in as many domestic appearances, 30-year-old Yoshinori Muto should spearhead Kobe’s attack at the New Nacional Stadium.
Barcelona
As for the visitors, enjoying a real La Liga flurry this season and getting their hands on a first domestic crown since 2019, Xavi’s side have gained plenty of plaudits. However, although the Spanish heavyweights might have easily dethroned Los Blancos this season, Tuesday’s guests did sign off the 2022/23 campaign with a whimper. Last seen over the weekend getting hit with a lively 2-1 defeat against Celta Vigo, the Catalonia-based outfit did lose three of their final four top-flight contests. With that run highlighted by a 3-1 drumming away at Valladolid on May 23rd, Barca have shown some extended defensive issues over the past few weeks. Despite clinching their history-making La Liga crown thanks to a remarkable 4-2 win against local rivals Espanyol last month, Xavi’s superstar squad have claimed just a single clean sheet from any of their previous five appearances – a run that stems back to May 2nd.
Team News
Barcelona have travelled out to Japan with a full-strength squad and the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Frankie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Raphinha are all expected to feature on Tuesday morning. However, the injured duo of Pedri and Ronald Araujo will not play any part.
Notching 23 La Liga strikes this season and claiming Spain’s Golden Boot, former Bayern Munich record-breaker Robert Lewandowski should spearhead Xavi’s charge at the New Nacional Stadium.
Key Factors to Consider
Despite getting their hands on a first La Liga crown since 2019, Barcelona signed off the 2022/23 campaign with three defeats from their final four appearances.
Likewise, the Spanish heavyweights have also recorded just a single clean sheet from their final five outings.
Kobe are unbeaten in each of their last seven domestic appearances – a run that stems all the way back to April 22nd.
Tuesday’s hosts have also notched 14 strikes on their seven-match unbeaten run.
Polish icon Robert Lewandowski recorded 23 La Liga strikes in his 34 top-flight appearances this season.
Conclusion
Although Barcelona might have ended their three-year trophy drought last month, the Spanish icons almost limped their way over the finish line. Last seen over the weekend getting hit with a 2-1 loss away at Celta Vigo, Xavi’s side lost three of their final four La Liga appearances and have shown some extended defensive issues. Mustering just one clean sheet from their final five contests, we could be set for an action-packed showdown on Tuesday night. Making the trip out to Japan where they will meet a Kobe side that are riding a recent wave of momentum, chances could come thick and fast here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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