Two teams toward the top of the J1 League table will clash on Saturday as Kashiwa Reysol host reigning champions Vissel Kobe at the SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium.
The hosts sit second in the standings, just three points behind league leaders Kashima Antlers, while the visitors are sixth, trailing the top spot by 10 points.
Match preview
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Kashiwa Reysol battled for their J1 League survival in each of the last two seasons, narrowly surviving by four points in 2023 and three points in 2024, but this term they find themselves enjoying a stay at the opposite end of the standings.
Sun King are sitting second in the J1 League table with 34 points after 18 fixtures, from nine wins, seven draws and only two defeats, leaving them just three points behind league-leading Kashima Antlers and two points above third-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Since taking charge in February 2025, Ricardo Rodriguez has significantly bolstered Reysol's defence, with the Sun King conceding only 14 goals in 18 matches this season compared to 51 in 38 games last year, while they also boast a joint-most eight clean sheets.
As the second half of the season approaches, Reysol will aim to mirror their strong first-half performance to secure continental qualification for the first time since 2018 and contend for their first league title since 2011.
A victory in their final match of the first half of the campaign could prove vital in maintaining that positive momentum, and given they are undefeated at home in their last five outings, they have plenty of reason to be confident.
While one team is enjoying a much-improved season, the other are enduring an underwhelming campaign thus far, as reigning champions Vissel Kobe already trail the league leaders by 10 points.
The Cows lifted their first-ever J1 League title in 2023 with 71 points, finishing seven points clear of second-placed Yokohama F Marinos, and successfully defended their crown in 2024 with 72 points, four points clear of runners-up Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
However, Vissel Kobe's title defence in the first half of the 2025 campaign has been underwhelming, with the Cows managing 27 points from 17 games, leaving them already 10 points behind first-placed Kashima Antlers, albeit with a game in hand on the leaders.
Takayuki Yoshida has led the Cows to eight wins, three draws and six defeats from their 17 league fixtures, while they are on a particularly lacklustre run of three defeats in their last five outings.
Looking to close the gap on the leaders and retain their title for a third year, a victory against second-placed Kashiwa Reysol could prove vital come the end of the campaign.
Despite their dominance in the league in recent seasons, Vissel Kobe have struggled in their trips to the SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium, managing only one victory in their last 12 league visits, including nine defeats in that time.
Team News
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Yuki Kakita and Mao Hosoya have struck up a lucrative partnership in attack, netting eight goals between them, and the striking duo are expected to start in this one.
Given Reysol's impressive defensive record, conceding just 14 times in 18 games - only Sanfrecce Hiroshima have conceded fewer with 12 in 17 games - a similar lineup is expected on Saturday.
As for Vissel Kobe, Erik (on loan from Machida Zelvia) has impressed so far this season with five goals in 12 appearances, and the Brazilian should lead the line on Saturday.
Taisei Miyashiro has scored four and assisted one in his last six matches for Vissel Kobe, and the attacking midfielder is likely to play alongside Yuya Osako and Daiju Sasaki here.
Kashiwa Reysol possible starting lineup:
Kojima; Harada, Koga, Tanaka; Kubo, Koizumi, Kumasaka, Yamada, Koyamatsu; Kakita, Hosoya
Vissel Kobe possible starting lineup:
Maekawa; Sakai, Yamakawa, Thuler, Honda; Ideguchi, Ogihara; Osako, Miyashiro, Sasaki; Erik
We say: Kashiwa Reysol 2-0 Vissel Kobe
Kashiwa Reysol have dominated this fixture at the SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium in recent years, and given their impressive first-half of the campaign, combined with Vissel Kobe's often uninspiring performances, we expect the hosts to win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
