Manuel Chávez
Dailysports's expert
On November 17, Kyoto and Kashima will clash in a rescheduled Matchday 29 fixture. Here's an in-depth look at the game and a prediction on who might come out on top.
Kyoto
Kyoto's biggest achievement this season is securing their place in the top division. Currently sitting 15th in the league table, the team has built a comfortable 10-point cushion from the relegation zone.
In their last match, Kyoto managed a home draw against Kawasaki Frontale. This result, combined with 7 points collected in their last three games, has helped the team distance itself from the bottom. With little left to play for, the team's focus might wane, but a strong finish could potentially push them into the top 10.
Kashima
With three matches remaining in the season, Kashima finds itself in fifth place, trailing the top three by five points. However, this game in hand provides an opportunity to close the gap. Their last outing ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against Nagoya, especially after going down to ten men in the 57th minute.
Kashima is on a four-match unbeaten streak, collecting 8 points during that span. To secure a top-three finish, they need a strong finish to the season, as their rivals for those spots have struggled with consistency.
Probable Lineups
- Kyoto: Ota, Fukuda, Appiah Tawiah, Suzuki, Sato, Fukuoka, Yonemoto, Hirato, Marcos Tulio, Rafael Elias, Hara.
- Kashima: Hayakawa, Misao, Ueda, Sekigawa, Anzai, Higuchi, Chinen, Shibasaki, Nakama, Morooka, Tokuda.
Match Facts
- Kyoto has the worst home record in the league, with just 4 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses.
- Kashima’s away form is mixed, with 7 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw on the road.
Betting Odds:
Kyoto win – 3.3
Draw – 3.35
Kashima win – 2.2
Head-to-Head
Kashima has historically dominated this matchup. In their first meeting this season, Kashima edged out a 1-0 victory over Kyoto, thanks to an 85th-minute goal.
Prediction
This promises to be a closely fought contest, with Kashima's higher motivation giving them a slight edge. While Kyoto has improved in recent matches, their poor home form contrasts with Kashima’s need for points to chase a top-three finish. Expect a low-scoring game, possibly decided by a single goal. My prediction: Kashima to win with a Draw No Bet option for safety.
