J1 League Gameweek 8
Shimizu S-pulse vs NS JEF United Chiba
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Futmetrix Verdict
93
Plzen
vs
Union St. Gilloise
Thu, Sep 17 • 19:00 UTC
⚡ Form
4
⚖️ Balance
100
🏆 Stakes
100
⭐ Stars
45
A gritty start to European nights.
Futmetrix Verdict
56
OFI
vs
1899 Hoffenheim
Thu, Sep 17 • 16:45 UTC
⚡ Form
7
⚖️ Balance
54
🏆 Stakes
100
⭐ Stars
45
Hoffenheim huge favorites in Crete trip.
Futmetrix Verdict
56
Crystal Palace
vs
Lech Poznan
Thu, Sep 17 • 19:00 UTC
⚡ Form
6
⚖️ Balance
53
🏆 Stakes
100
⭐ Stars
62
Palace look to coast against Poznan.
League Standings
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -3
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -6
Match Preview
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Shimizu S-pulse
JEF United Chiba
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Early Survival Scramble at IAI Stadium Nihondaira
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 32/100. Both sides are desperate to arrest early-season slumps before a bleak relegation battle becomes their permanent reality.
The Setup
Shimizu S-pulse (13th) face JEF United Chiba (20th) in an early six-pointer. The Stakes rating might look modest for round eight, but the tension is very real on the pitch. A dire Form rating reflects their mutual struggles: Shimizu have just one win in four at home, while Chiba's leaky defence has already shipped 16 goals this campaign. The silver lining is a high Balance rating, meaning this clash of strugglers is tightly contested, even if the Stars rating lacks global household names.
Key Battle
Shimizu's misfiring forward line must exploit a fragile Chiba defence. If the home side can finally click in the final third, they will punish a visiting backline that has consistently wilted under pressure.
Our Prediction
Shimizu S-pulse to scrape a narrow 1-0 victory. The probability metrics heavily favour the hosts, and Chiba's dreadful away form makes it hard to see them taking the initiative. Expect a cagey affair decided by a single mistake at the back.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Only for the die-hard fans. The low quality of play makes it a gritty survival scrap rather than a spectacle.
What's the predicted outcome?
A tight, low-scoring home win for Shimizu S-pulse.
Where are Shimizu S-pulse and JEF United Chiba in the league table?
Shimizu sit 13th with 7 points, while Chiba languish at the absolute bottom in 20th with just 4 points.
What is Shimizu S-pulse's current form?
Poor. They have recorded one win, one draw, and three losses in their last five, struggling heavily on home soil.
Who is the in-form player to watch?
K. Tanaka for JEF United Chiba is the standout, boasting 3 goals in his last 2 matches and averaging a 7.4 rating.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.