Kashima Antlers will keep fightin for the J1 League title this weekend as they meet with Kyoto Sanga in the top flight of Japan as the second-placed Antlers sit only one point behind top spot as we approach the halfway point in the season.
It’s been a sensational season for Antlers in the J1 League, and with them also making it to the play-offs of the J. League Cup recently, they are in excellent form despite their defeat to Avispa Fukuoka on away goals.
11 June 2022 vs Avispa Fukuoka #antlers #kashimahttps://t.co/yeni2O9UxA pic.twitter.com/qdL1suaWsV— Kashima Antlers (@atlrs_english) June 11, 2022
11 June 2022 vs Avispa Fukuoka #antlers #kashimahttps://t.co/yeni2O9UxA pic.twitter.com/qdL1suaWsV
The club are also set to compete in the Emperor's Cup in a week's time, so getting a victory here back in the league is vital to stay on the heels of Yokohama FM.
So far, the second-placed sider in J1 League have won nine of their 16 games, with them losing just four times. What's more, after losing to FC Tokyo last time out, they have now fallen off the top spot in the division with them losing one game more than the league leaders.
It has also left Antlers on a three-game winless run, as they lost to Tokyo not long after drawing 4-4 in a stunning game with Sagan Tosu, while also drawing 1-1 with Urawa Reds.
Nevertheless, they sit only one point off the top, and they could return to the summit of the division if Yokohama fails to beat Gamba Osaka.
As for Sanga, they are down in ninth with a 10-point gap to make up on the AFC Champions League qualifiers spot but considering this is their first time in the J1 League, their seven-point distance on the relegation spots is more than commendable to this point in the season, with them also winning five of their 16 games to date. What's more, they beat Kawasaki 1-0 last time out in the league too.
Forebet predicts a game of over 2.5 goals here, with Antlers simply too good for the majority of Japan right now.
They’ve been scoring goals in abundance and they have seen over 2.5 goals in 10 of their past 15 games alone, with scorelines coming in such as a 4-4 draw with Sagan Tosu, and 3-0 victories over the likes of Cerezo Osaka, Jubilo Iwata, and Oita Trinita.
With their title charge well and truly on at the halfway point in the league season, Forebet predicts a win here for the title challengers, and for Antlers to also see over 2.5 goals in the game.