The 2022 J League season continues this week and on the 25th of May we have a meeting between Kashima Antlers and Sagan Tosu.
The game will be played at the Kashima Soccer Stadium and the hosts begin this round of fixtures in second place on 29 points while the visitors are in 6th place on 20 points.
Kashima Antlers come into the match having been held to a 1-1 draw at Uwara Red Diamonds on the weekend. Kashima Antlers opened the scoring after only 6 minutes but Urawa Red Diamonds scored the equaliser from the penalty spot at the end of the first half.
That result means Kashima Antlers are undefeated in their 3 most recent games, with wins coming over Consadole Sapporo at home in the J League and Gamba Osaka away in the J League Cup.
In fact, Kashima Antlers have lost only 1 of their last 9 matches in all competitions, with the defeat away to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the league.
Home form in the J League shows Kashima Antlers are undefeated in 6 of their last 7 fixtures. They have lost only 2 of their last 11 league games at the Kashima Soccer Stadium but have won only 2 of their last 4 on home soil in the J League. Trends show both teams have scored in 4 of their last 6 home league matches.
Sagan Tosu make the long trip to the Kashima Soccer Stadium on the back of a 0-0 draw at home against Kawasaki Frontale in the J League.
The only major talking point in the game was the sending off for Kawasaki Frontale in the 82nd minute but there was not enough time left on the clock for Sagan Tosu to take advantage of the extra man.
That result means Sagan Tosu have recorded only 1 win from their last 5 games in all competitions. The victory came at FC Tokyo in the League and was a narrow 1-0 win, with the only goal of the game coming with 9 minutes left on the clock.
Trends show in their last 14 games in the J League, Sagan Tosu have recorded 12 undefeated encounters. However, they have won just 2 of their last 13 away league matches and will need to improve on that record to challenge at the top this season.
Looking ahead to the team news and Kashima Antlers have the exciting duo of Ayase Ueda and Yuma Suzuki in attack, who have 14 goals between them already this season.
Sagan Tosu have spread their goals around the team but Yuki Kakita is expected to play up-front in this game and he has 3 goals to his name this season.
Both teams come into this game having been difficult to beat in the league this season. In fact, despite being below them in the table, Sagan Tosu have lost fewer matches than Kashima Antlers.
That suggests we are going to be in for a close game, with under 2.5 goals and a draw the prediction.