Green Light Initiative to spark Verdy derby dominance (Tokyo Verdy vs FC Tokyo prediction) | OneFootball

Tokyo Derby: Verdy Aim to Break Deadlock Against Struggling FC Tokyo

The first Tokyo Derby of the 2025 season arrives this Wednesday as Tokyo Verdy host FC Tokyo at Ajinomoto Stadium in what promises to be a fiercely contested J1 League clash.

Form Guide

Tokyo Verdy enter the fixture in mixed form, sitting 12th in the table with two wins, two draws and three losses from their opening seven matches. Their most recent outing saw them secure a respectable goalless draw away at Kashiwa Reysol, where goalkeeper Matheus Vidotto earned plaudits for maintaining a clean sheet.

FC Tokyo, meanwhile, find themselves in a more precarious position, languishing in 15th place. Rikizo Matsuhashi's men have managed just two victories this campaign and come into the derby on the back of a concerning 3-0 home defeat to Kawasaki Frontale – their third loss in four matches.

Key Battles

The midfield contest could prove decisive with Tokyo Verdy's Kosuke Saito and winter signing Rei Hirakawa establishing a solid partnership in recent weeks. They'll face off against FC Tokyo's experienced Kento Hashimoto, whose pass completion rate of 89.63% underlines his importance to the visitors' build-up play.

In attack, Verdy will look to recent arrival Hiroto Yamami, who has already contributed a goal and an assist since joining from Gamba Osaka in February. For FC Tokyo, Kein Sato represents one of few bright spots in an otherwise misfiring frontline that has failed to score in three of their last five outings.

Derby Significance

This fixture carries extra weight beyond the three points at stake. Last season saw both Tokyo derbies end in draws, with Verdy particularly frustrated after surrendering a two-goal lead in their first encounter following promotion after 16 years away from the top flight.

"Winning this derby is essential for our growth as a club," said Verdy defender Yuto Tsunashima, who has been with the club since his youth academy days.

Adding intrigue to the occasion is Verdy manager Hiroshi Jofuku's history with FC Tokyo, having previously managed Wednesday's opponents.

Prediction

The contrast between Verdy's growing defensive solidity and FC Tokyo's alarming defensive record – seven goals conceded in their last three matches – suggests the hosts hold the advantage. FC Tokyo's counterattacking approach under Matsuhashi has yet to yield consistent results, while Verdy have shown greater resilience at home.

With the "Green Light Initiative" set to illuminate the stadium for Verdy's first night game of the season, the atmosphere should provide an additional boost to the hosts against their struggling neighbours.

Predicted Score: Tokyo Verdy 2-0 FC Tokyo