Preview: Kashima Antlers vs. Kyoto Sanga - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors currently find themselves in the bottom half of the table as they attempt to push away from the relegation zone and establish a healthy gap.

Match preview

Kashima Antlers were defeated 2-1 by Gamba Osaka at the weekend, bringing an end to their 12-match undefeated streak in all competitions in the process.

Despite a late goal from central defender Naomichi Ueda it was not enough to get themselves back into the game, falling short of the mark.

This halted the progression that the team had been making in the J1 League, as they head into this fixture sat in seventh place with a view to move up the table by the end of these 90 minutes.

A victory could see Kashima Antlers move up to sixth if other results go in their favour, but the team will be wary of the fact they have been stronger away throughout the season.

While most teams typically make their home ground a fortress those games have provided inconsistency for Daiki Iwamasa's men.

The visitors will be hoping to exploit the fact that Kashima Antlers have only won three of their eight home matches this season, but they will need to bring a better performance than when the two sides met earlier this season.

Kyoto Sanga were comfortably beaten 2-0 in their previous meeting with goals from Diego Pituca and Kei Chinen proving to be enough to wrap up the game.

However Cho Kwi-jae's men come into this one off the back of a 2-1 victory themselves last weekend which highlighted their resilience and ability to fight until the end.

Even though they conceded in the 74th minute, Kyoto Sanga went on to win the game with two goals in the final 10 minutes of the match showcasing that they will push until the last whistle.

Patric and Shogo Asada were the men on the scoresheet, and the team will now be aiming to build from that to start creating a run of form that can lead to them pushing away from the relegation zone.

There are currently just seven points between them and the bottom place, and while that does provide some breathing room Kyoto Sanga fans would like to see it extended.

Kashima Antlers J1 League form:

W

D

D

D

W

L

Kyoto Sanga J1 League form:

L

L

L

L

W

W

Team News

Yuki Kakita was unable to feature for Kashima Antlers in their last outing due to a knock that he picked up in the previous match, and question marks remain over his fitness once again heading into this fixture.

With eight goals and four assists to his name in the J1 League so far this season Yuma Suzuki will be the main danger man for the hosts though, and is a sure bet to start the match.

Patric will be hoping that his goal from the bench last weekend was enough to grant him a starting role for the visitors this time around.

However, Kyoto Sanga will be able to rely on the services of Kosuke Kinoshita who was able to overcome an injury worry to feature in that match.

Kashima Antlers possible starting lineup:

Hayakawa; Hirose, Ueda, Sekigawa, Anzai; Nago, Sano, Pituca, Higuchi; Someno, Suzuki

Kyoto Sanga possible starting lineup:

Wakahara; Shirai, Inoue, Asada, Sato; Kawasaki, Fukuoka, Hirato; Toyokawa, Yamasaki, Kinoshita

We say: Kashima Antlers 2-1 Kyoto Sanga

Kashima Antlers might have had their impressive run of form brought to an end last weekend, but this is a match that should allow them to get straight back on track as their quality should shine through with another victory here.

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