Vissel Kobe vs Melbourne City FC Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26

Three points separate the two sides on the points table.

Matchday 2 of the AFC Champions League Elite will take us to the Misaki Park Stadium, where Vissel Kobe will host Melbourne City FC in a mouth-watering encounter. The home side registered a 3-0 win over Shanghai Port on the opening game of this competition. They are currently placed at the top of Group A with three points.

Melbourne City FC, on the other hand, started their campaign with a crushing 2-0 loss against Sanfrecce at home. They currently find themselves in 11th place and will be looking to bounce back with a win. Being an away side against Vissel Kobe is never an easy task. However, Melbourne City FC possess all the tools to pull off an upset.

Kickoff:

Location: Kobe, Japan

Stadium: Misaki Park Stadium

Date and Kickoff time: Oct 1 – 03:30 pm IST/10:00 am GMT/03:00 am PT/06:00 am ET

Referee: Not decided

VAR: In Use

Form:

Vissel Kobe (in all competitions): W-W-W-D-W

Melbourne City FC (in all competitions): L-L-W-D-W

今日もたくさんの応援ありがとうございました！皆さんの熱い声援が貴重な勝点3に繋がりました🔥次の試合はホームでのACLEメルボルン戦です！引き続き応援をよろしくお願いいたします💪𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘⏩🏆ACLE MD2🆚メルボルン・シティ🗓10/1(水)19:00🏟御崎公園球技場… pic.twitter.com/rpcLQ5r39U

— ヴィッセル神戸 (@visselkobe) September 27, 2025

Players to watch out for:

Taisei Miyashiro (Vissel Kobe)

The Japanese international is in phenomenal form right now. He has scored three goals in his last three appearances and is the top goalscorer of Vissel Kobe in the ongoing season. His first touch is incredible.

It allows him more time to make the final decision. He is very versatile and hardworking off the ball as well.

Takeshi Kanamori (Melbourne City FC)

Takeshi Kanamori dons the number 10 jersey of Melbourne City FC and is arguably their best attacker. His technical ability on the ball is second to none, and he consistently beats his marker with ease. He is very versatile and can also drop deep to play as a midfielder.

Vissel Kobe will be a difficult test for Melbourne, and they will rely heavily on Takeshi Kanamori to get a positive result.

Match Facts:

• This will be the first encounter between these two teams. 
• Vissel Kobe won 2-1 against Shimizu in their last game.
• Melbourne City FC lost 2-0 against Sanfrecce in their last game.

Vissel Kobe vs Melbourne City FC: Betting tips and odds

• Tip 1: Vissel Kobe to win – 1.66 by Stake
• Tip 2: Both teams to score – 1.81 by 1XBET
• Tip 3: Expected Goals – Over 2.5 – 1.55 by Dafabet

Injury and Team news:

Shota Arai will be unavailable for the home side.

Melbourne City FC, on the other hand, will be without the likes of Andrew Nabbout, James Nieuwenhuizen, Samuel Souprayen, Alessandro Lopane, and Medin Memeti.

Head to Head:

This will be the first official encounter between these clubs. 

Predicted Lineups:

Vissel Kobe (4-3-3)

Maekawa(GK); Nagato, Thuler, Yamakawa, Sakai; lde, Ogihara, Kuwasaki; Miyashiro, Osako, Erik

Melbourne City FC (4-3-3)

Beach(GK); Behich, Souprayen, Ferreyra, Atkinson; Kuen, Trewin, Leckie; Rahmani, Caputo, Kanamori

Match Prediction:

Vissel Kobe are expected to come out as winners against Melbourne City FC. 

Prediction: Vissel Kobe 2-1 Melbourne City FC

Telecast details:

India: FanCode

Saudi Arabia: Thmanyah, beIN Sports

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