Urawa Reds v Verdy: how it went

How it turned out

We projected about 2.2 goals; the game finished with 4. Both teams scored. We made Not both teams to score 53%. It lost.

What we said beforehand

Urawa Reds host Verdy at Saitama Stadium in a J1 League clash that could have big implications for both clubs. Urawa sit 12th out of 20 with nine points from seven games and a -4 goal difference. One place above them is Mito Hollyhock, while Shimizu S-Pulse sit just below. Verdy are down in 19th place, also with four points from seven games and a -6 goal difference, sitting in the relegation zone. Avispa Fukuoka sit one spot above them and JEF United Chiba are level on points just below. Both teams will be keen to move away from the danger zones, but Urawa have a slight cushion while Verdy are fighting to stay up.

Urawa’s recent form has been a roller-coaster of wins and losses. In their last eight matches they have won four and lost four, with no draws. The most recent result was a 2-1 defeat at home to Okayama. Before that they beat Kashima Antlers 1-0 away, then travelled to beat Avispa Fukuoka 3-2 and beat Yokohama F. Marinos 3-2 at home. Their run also includes a 3-1 loss away to Machida and a heavy 4-1 defeat at home to Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Across those eight games they have scored 17 and let in 17, keeping two clean sheets. Seven of the games featured three or more goals and both sides scored in six of them.

Verdy have been harder to read in their recent outings. In their last eight fixtures they have managed one win, four draws and three losses. Their latest game was a 1-1 draw at home with Chiba. Prior to that they earned a 1-0 win away at Reilac Shiga, then drew 0-0 away at Cerezo Osaka. They have also suffered two 2-0 defeats at home to Vissel Kobe and Kashima Antlers, and a goalless draw away at Okayama. Over this stretch they have found the net only four times while conceding nine, but they have kept three clean sheets and failed to score in four matches. Their road form is better, unbeaten in the last three trips with one win and two draws.

When the two sides meet, the games have been tight. In the last four meetings each side has won once and the other two have been draws. The average scoreline of those matches is 1.8 goals. The most recent encounter was a goalless draw on 27 September 2025, with Verdy holding Urawa to a clean sheet. That pattern suggests another low-scoring affair, with both teams capable of keeping things tight.

We think the safest bet is that both teams will not score. The expected total is about 2.2 goals, with Urawa averaging 1.5 and Verdy 0.8. The price of 1.75 is shorter than our reading, so it looks attractive. For this to fail, both sides would need to find the net, which seems unlikely given Verdy’s four goals in eight games and Urawa’s recent tendency to concede as many as they score. If the game opens up and each side scores, the pick would lose, but the odds make the not-both-to-score option the sensible choice.