Can Kashima stop their losing run? Kashima Antlers vs Newcastle Jets prediction - 15.09.2026
Newcastle Jets
The AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 league stage begins for Kashima Antlers and Newcastle Jets on Tuesday, September 15, at Kashima Soccer Stadium. Kashima enter their continental opener after three consecutive J1 defeats, while the Jets return to competitive action almost two months after their Australia Cup elimination.
Kashima Antlers: three defeats have erased the perfect start
Toru Oniki's team started the new J1 campaign in excellent fashion, winning their opening four league matches. Since then, however, the picture has changed dramatically. Kashima lost 4-2 to Mito Hollyhock, 1-0 at home to Urawa Reds and then 2-1 away to Vissel Kobe on Friday. They remain fourth with 12 points from seven matches, having scored 14 goals and conceded 13.
The latest defeat was not as poor as the result might suggest. Kashima created enough opportunities against Kobe and equalised through Aleksandar Čavrić in the 73rd minute, only to concede the decisive goal four minutes later. Čavrić now has four league goals and has become increasingly important at a moment when the availability of the team's main striker is uncertain.
Léo Ceará is the biggest issue before the Asian opener. The Brazilian has already scored eight league goals this season and was named the J1 Player of the Month for August, but he was left out of the squad against Kobe. After the game, Oniki explained that the striker had suffered a physical condition problem the previous day. Therefore, his involvement against Newcastle cannot yet be taken for granted.
Kashima also have longer-term personnel concerns. Koki Anzai suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in July, while Yuta Higuchi fractured his right fibula during the same training camp. The club did not announce recovery timelines for either player. Neither featured in the latest match against Kobe.
Newcastle Jets: a historic season followed by a long competitive pause
Newcastle travel to Japan after the most successful campaign in their recent history. In Mark Milligan's first season as head coach, the Jets won both their first Australia Cup and their first A-League Premiers Plate. Milligan remains in charge for 2026/27 and now faces the challenge of transferring that domestic success onto the Asian stage.
However, match rhythm is a serious question. Newcastle's most recent competitive appearance came on July 21, when they were knocked out of the Australia Cup by Preston Lions. The Jets led 2-0 thanks to Will Dobson and new striker Nikos Vergos, but conceded three times after the break and lost 3-2, with the decisive goal arriving in stoppage time.
The squad has plenty of attacking options, with Vergos joined by Joe Lolley, Patrick Wood and Xavier Bertoncello, while Max Burgess was officially named captain on September 11 and Joe Shaughnessy will serve as vice-captain. Yet Newcastle's domestic league campaign does not begin until October, meaning this demanding trip to Japan comes without the competitive preparation Kashima currently have.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Kashima started the J1 season with four consecutive wins but have since lost three matches in a row.
- Léo Ceará leads the J1 scoring chart with eight goals.
- Newcastle's last competitive match was on July 21, a 3-2 Australia Cup defeat to Preston Lions.
- Mark Milligan led Newcastle to the Australia Cup and A-League Premiers Plate last season.
- These teams have met once before: Kashima defeated Newcastle 4-1 in the 2019 AFC Champions League playoff.
Kashima should have enough to respond at home
Kashima's three-match losing streak makes it difficult to treat the hosts as completely reliable, particularly with Léo Ceará's fitness still uncertain. Their defence has also looked vulnerable, conceding seven goals across those three defeats.
Even so, the circumstances favour Oniki's side. Kashima are already seven matches into a highly competitive J1 campaign, whereas Newcastle have not played a competitive fixture for almost two months. The Jets are talented and their attacking rebuild gives Milligan several interesting options, but entering an AFC Champions League Elite away match in Japan without regular competitive rhythm is a significant disadvantage.
Kashima also have a clear need for a reaction after three consecutive defeats. Playing at home, with Čavrić, Yuma Suzuki and Yan Matheus among the attacking alternatives even if Ceará is not ready to start, the Japanese side should be able to apply sustained pressure and create enough chances to take all three points. The hosts are not in perfect shape, but the combination of match fitness, home advantage and greater recent competitive intensity makes their victory the most attractive option.
Prediction: Kashima Antlers to win.
