Liverpool continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly against J1 League side Yokohama FM at the Nissam Stadium on Wednesday morning. The Reds will be hoping to improve on their 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Singapore last time out.
Meanwhile, Yokohama's season is very much underway, as they come into this clash off the back of a 3-0 win at home to Nagoya last time out. However, the level of opposition will be considerably higher when they welcome the reigning Premier League champions to town.
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Yokohama FM vs Liverpool prediction: Reds should bounce back in style
Key stats
- Liverpool's defeat to Milan last time out was their first in pre-season, having won the previous two games.
- Yokohama have won just twice in seven matches in total in all competitions.
- Yokohama's last four defeats have been to nil.
Correct score prediction: Yokohama FM 0-5 Liverpool
Liverpool have been as free-scoring as ever in pre-season so far, and so should find their shooting boots against a far inferior side on paper. Yokohama will be more focussed on their league form, and so one eye may be away from this friendly.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Liverpool unsurprising favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 6/1 (7.00) – 14.3%
- DRAW: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.3%
- AWAY: 3/14 (1.21) – 82.4%
*odds from vbet, subject to change
As expected, Liverpool are huge favourites with bookmakers to win this one. Interestingly, a Yokohama win on home soil is rated just above a draw, according to the implied probabilities.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting between two teams
This will be the first time that both teams ever play against each other in a competitive outing. It will no doubt be interesting to see how Liverpool adapt to different surroundings.
Yokohama FM preview: Couple of injury doubts
Both Kaina Tanimura and Ren Kato are injury doubts for Yokohama after sustaining them against Nagoya last time out. Asahi Uenaka and former Arsenal player Ryo Miyaichi could take their respective places in the starting XI.
Predicted lineup: Il-Kyu (GK); Uenaka, Quinones, Deng, Suzuki; Yamane, Aziangbe; Matheus, Inoue, Elber & Miyaichi
Japan J-League 14/05/25
L
Kashiwa Reysol
2
Yokohama F-Marinos
0
Japan J-League 11/05/25
L
Cerezo Osaka
1
Yokohama F-Marinos
0
AFC Champions League Elite 26/04/25
L
Al-Nassr Riyadh
4
Yokohama F-Marinos
1
Japan J-League 20/04/25
L
Urawa Red Diamonds
3
Yokohama F-Marinos
1
Japan J-League 16/04/25
L
Shimizu S-Pulse
3
Yokohama F-Marinos
2
Liverpool preview: Ekitike to make full debut?
Hugo Ekitike could make his full debut from the start for Liverpool after the French striker signed from Bundesliga side Frankfurt for a whopping £79m including add-ons in the summer transfer window. Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez are all doubts with injury though, while Luis Diaz is also expected to be left out in order to finalise a propose £65.5m move including add-ons to reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Predicted lineup: Alisson (GK); Frimpong, Stephenson, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Nyoni, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitike & Ngumoha
England Premier League 11/05/25
D
Arsenal
2
Liverpool
2
England Premier League 04/05/25
L
Chelsea
3
Liverpool
1
England Premier League 27/04/25
W
Tottenham
1
Liverpool
5
England Premier League 20/04/25
W
Leicester
0
Liverpool
1
England Premier League 13/04/25
W
West Ham
1
Liverpool
2
Player to watch: Hugo Ekitike
All eyes will be on new star signing Hugo Ekitike as he is expected to make his debut for Liverpool following his £79m move from Frankfurt this summer. The 23-year-old is an exciting forward who managed to score a total of 15 goals and make a further eight assists in the Bundesliga in the 2024/25 campaign, and will be hoping to get off the mark straight away for the Reds against Yokohama FM.