Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
In the 21st round of Japan's J-League, Machida will host Kashima on their home turf. The match is set for Saturday, June 21, kicking off at 9:00 Central European Time. I'm offering a bet focused on goals in this encounter.
Machida vs Kashima: Match facts and head-to-head
- Kashima are on a three-match unbeaten streak and have lost just once in their last ten outings.
- On the road, Kashima have claimed four wins in their last five away games.
- Machida have won their last two matches. At home, they've managed just two victories in seven games.
- Kashima boast the league's second-best attack with 30 goals scored, and the second-best defense with just 16 conceded.
- Kashima have kept a clean sheet in 48% of their matches this season, while Machida have managed this in 26% of their games.
- Kashima have failed to score and lost in only 13% of their matches; for Machida, that figure stands at 26%.
- Kashima have not conceded in both halves in any league match this season.
- In their previous head-to-head, Kashima edged out a 1-0 win. In five encounters between these sides, Kashima have three victories, Machida two.
Machida vs Kashima: Match preview
Machida sit mid-table. After 20 J-League rounds, they've collected 28 points, putting them in ninth. They trail third place by six points and are just two behind eighth. The middle of the table is tightly packed: the gap between third and fourteenth is just ten points. With 18 rounds to go, every position is up for grabs and the race promises to be fierce.
Kashima also face a challenging road ahead, despite topping the table. They've racked up 41 points from 20 matches and lead their closest rivals by four. Kashima are unbeaten in three, with just one defeat in their last ten fixtures—eight wins and a draw in that stretch. The club also owns the league's second-best attack (30 goals) and defense (16 conceded). Kashima last lifted the title back in 2016, so the motivation within the squad is sky-high.
Probable lineups
- Machida: Tani; Shoji, Dresevic, Okamura; Mochizuki, Shimoda, Mae, Hayashi; Soma, Fujio, Nishimura
- Kashima: Hayakawa; Koike, Ueda, Kim, Mizoguchi; Matsumura, Funabashi, Misao, Kavric; Leo Ceara, Suzuki
Prediction
Kashima have been in superb form of late, winning four of their last five away matches. No doubt, Machida will put up a fight, but I believe Kashima won't lose on the road. I'll back this outcome at odds of 1.64.
