Urawa Reds vs Kashima Antlers

Second-placed Kashima Antlers head to the Saitama Stadium to take on Urawa Reds in an exciting J1 League fixture.

Urawa pulled off a sensational second-half comeback to cancel out a 3-0 HT deficit and hold Yokohama Marinos to an enthralling 3-3 home draw last time out. That could be a good starting point for the ‘Red Devils’ to turn around an underwhelming season, highlighted by an uneventful run of six consecutive league stalemates. There’s a reason for optimism, though, as Ricardo Rodriguez’s men are unbeaten in six of their seven home J1 League games this season (W2, D4), netting an eye-catching average of two goals per match. Moreover, Urawa have won three of their four previous home league meetings with Kashima (D1), including the last two in a row by a narrow one-goal margin.

In stark contrast to Urawa’s abysmal start to the season, Kashima are flying high, having won three of their last four J1 League fixtures (L1) by multi-goal margins. With table-topping Kawasaki Frontale within a one-point distance, the ‘Antlers’ are hopeful of snatching their first top-flight title since 2016. In order to close the gap, Kashima will have to bounce back from a dreadful 3-0 defeat at Hiroshima in their most recent away league outing. But Rene Weiler’s side will be out to prove it was just a one-off after winning their opening four J1 League away games beforehand by an aggregate score of 9-1. Delivering action from the offset, Kashima have opened the scoring within 20 minutes in three of their five away league matches this term.