Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Kawasaki Frontale

Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Kawasaki Frontale are set to trade tackles in a mouth-watering J1 League showdown at Hiroshima Big Arch. 

Hiroshima’s pursuit of their fourth J1 League title and first since 2015 is firmly back on track after an eye-catching five-game winning streak drew them within five points off pacesetters Kashima Antlers. Three of those five victories yielded a clean sheet, highlighting Hiroshima’s steely backline as the team’s most significant asset. Adding to this sentiment, no team has conceded fewer goals than Hiroshima’s 12 during this J1 League season. Michael Skibbe’s men have only capitulated six times in nine home league games, so it’s unsurprising they’ve only lost once on this ground this term (W4, D4, L1). Kawasaki’s upcoming visit shouldn’t faze them much, considering they’re unbeaten in their last three top-flight H2Hs (W1, D2) despite conceding on each occasion.

Meanwhile, Kawasaki should take this trip in a buoyant mood despite dropping a halftime lead to draw 2-2 against Gamba Osaka at home last time out. That result extended the visitors’ unbeaten league run to four matches (W2, D2) as they commence this round six points adrift of their third-placed hosts. However, an awful away form has been the scourge of Kawasaki’s lofty ambitions, with Shigetoshi Hasebe’s side going winless across their last four league road trips (D2, L2), conceding precisely two goals three times. Regardless, this team doesn’t lack resilience, avoiding defeat twice in three away league games after conceding the opening goal (W1, D1, L1).