Albirex Niigata won the J2 League last season and returned to the J1 League after a five-year absence from the top division. They have impressed on their return to the top flight and are the only team remaining unbeaten in the league. Niigata started their season with a draw and then went on to win their next match. They drew their next match and won the previous match. Albirex Niigata now sits third in the league and are looking like a team on a mission. We look at some of the stats of the team that show how they have maintained this unbeaten run.
A counter-attacking side
Albirex Niigata have scored seven goals and conceded five. The team likes to sit and wait for the counterattacks.
The team creates 3.25 counterattacks per match and has a 61.5% efficiency rate. Niigata created three counterattacks in the last match, five in the third match, and four in the second match of the season. It can be observed that most of the counterattacks came from the left side of the team. Other than this, Albirex Niigata only creates 22.5 positional attacks per match and have a 27.8% efficiency rate.
The team is not focusing on a particular side to attack in these matches. They have progressed with the ball from the left side, the centre, and the right side. Albirex Niigata have taken 42 shots in the first four matches. They average 10.5 shots per match and have a 45.2% accuracy rate. The above viz shows that most of the shots have been taken from the right side.
Impressive in the defence
Albirez Niigata have conceded five goals in four matches. They have kept one clean sheet and that was in a narrow 1-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale in the last match. Niigata players have won 61.9% of their defensive duels and 39.6% of their aerial duels. Adding to this, they make 54.25 interceptions per match, with most of them coming in the penalty box. The players haven’t made silly fouls and have given a few free-kicks.
The players have made 18 crucial blocks with 12 coming inside the penalty box. These blocks have been crucial and have avoided an xG of 2.12.
Betting analysis
As per the 1×2 betting odds, Albirex Niigata’s odds rate will remain high as the team has been promoted recently. However, their odds rate will lower as the team is in form. As per the over/under goals, the under goals are expected to thrive. Niigata’s last match ended in a 1-0 win.
Albirez Niigata have impressed on their return to the J1 League. They have scored goals and defended with their body on the line. Niigata will look to continue this unbeaten run and finish the season on a high.
Visuals via Wyscout and the TFA data viz engine
