Battling to extend their lead at the top of the J1 League table, Kashima Antlers will welcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima to Kashima Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts are hoping for a third win on the bounce this weekend, while Viola are looking to climb into the AFC Champions League places.

Match preview

Toru Oniki's Kashima have been in exceptional form over recent weeks, and with nine wins from their last 10 games across all competitions, they will be expecting to solidify their spot at the top of the pile on Saturday.

On Wednesday, the Antlers picked up where they left off before the international break by beating J3 League club Kusatsu 4-0 in the Emperor's Cup, and despite the level of opposition, the manager will be pleased that his team kept their third clean sheet in four matches.

Returning to top-flight action, Oniki's side find themselves on 40 points, six clear of second-placed Kyoto Sanga, third-placed Urawa Reds and fourth-placed Kashiwa Reysol.

Knowing that victory could give them a near-insurmountable nine point advantage after 20 games, fans of the hosts will point to the fact that they have won five on the bounce at Kashima Stadium ahead of this clash as their source of confidence, and having lost just once on their own turf since September 2024, their resilience speaks for itself.

A fourteenth triumph of the campaign for Kashima may put them firmly in control of the title race, though defeat could open the door to the chasing trio, who could all close the gap to three points this weekend.

Meanwhile, Michael Skibbe's Hiroshima bounced back from consecutive losses at the end of May and start of June to record two straight wins prior to this weekend, and a third in a row could put them back into contention for the crown.

Viola opened this month with a series of cup matches, coming from behind to triumph 3-2 on aggregate in a two-legged League Cup tie against Avispa Fukuoka, before beating Brew Saga 3-1 in the Emperor's Cup on Wednesday.

Turning their attention to the league this weekend, Skibbe's men are currently fifth in the table with 32 points, eight from top spot but only two behind Kyoto and Urawa in the AFC Champions League places.

With their sights set on making the top three, the visitors will be hoping to channel the type of travelling form that saw them win all of their away games in May, but they could harbour doubts after losing the first leg against Fukuoka 1-0 on the road. 

Three points would be enough to lift Hiroshima up to second depending on results elsewhere, but defeat could see them fall all the way down to eighth should Vissel Kobe, Kawasaki Frontale and Cerezo Osaka manage to win their own fixtures.

Kashima Antlers J1 League form:

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Kashima Antlers form (all competitions):

Sanfrecce Hiroshima J1 League form:

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Sanfrecce Hiroshima form (all competitions):

Team News

Kashima striker Leo Ceara recovered from an injury he picked up against Gamba Osaka at the end of May to make the starting lineup last time out, though Yuma Suzuki scored a hat-trick after replacing him from the bench at half time on Wednesday, and could take his spot in the XI this weekend as a result.

Backing up Suzuki should be Yuta Higuchi from an attacking midfield position, as well as Yuta Matsumura and Talles out wide.

As for Hiroshima, goalkeeper Keisuke Osako has missed a number of games due to his international duties, but he should be available for Saturday's clash.

If Osako starts, Skibbe could select a trio of Tsukasa Shiotani, Hayato Araki and Sho Sasaki in his backline to protect the shot stopper. 

Elsewhere, attacking midfielder Mutsuki Kato was sent off against Fukuoka in the League Cup, but he could be back in contention this weekend after sitting out of their Emperor's Cup win on Wednesday.

Kashima Antlers possible starting lineup:

Hayakawa; Koike, Ueda, Kim, Mizoguchi; Shibasaki, Misao; Matsumura, Higuchi, Brener; Suzuki

Sanfrecce Hiroshima possible starting lineup:

Osako; Shiotani, Araki, Sasaki; Nakano, Higashi, Kawabe, Arai; V Germain, Kato; R Germain

We say: Kashima Antlers 2-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Kashima are in excellent form, and with nine wins from their last 10 matches, they will be expecting to add to their tally this weekend.

Additionally, the Antlers have been particularly strong at home, and while Hiroshima could be a tough test, the hosts' record at Kashima Stadium suggests that they are unlikely to lose at the very least.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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