Kawasaki Frontale vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Match recap
Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat Kawasaki Frontale 1–0 in their J1 League fixture. Nakamura scored for Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Kawasaki Frontale held 59% possession to 41% for Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Analysis
Kawasaki Frontale host Sanfrecce Hiroshima in what promises to be a closely contested J-League clash. Both teams have shown competitive form, but Kawasaki's home advantage and attacking prowess could prove decisive.
This match is part of the 7th place round in the 2026 J-League season. Kawasaki Frontale currently sit 4th with 28 points, just behind Sanfrecce Hiroshima who hold 3rd with 30 points. Historically, Kawasaki have the upper hand with 11 wins in 20 meetings, and their encounters tend to be fairly high scoring, averaging nearly 3 goals per game.
In this competition, Kawasaki Frontale have demonstrated strong attacking form, led by Erison who has netted 3 goals in his last 5 games and boasts impressive match ratings. Yasuto Wakizaka's midfield creativity, with 2 goals and 3 assists recently, adds to their threat. Sanfrecce Hiroshima, meanwhile, have been consistent scorers themselves, with Sota Nakamura leading their line effectively. Defensively, Kawasaki's Sho Sasaki is expected to play a crucial role in containing Sanfrecce's forwards. The predicted 2-1 scoreline reflects a tight contest with Kawasaki edging it thanks to their home advantage and sharper finishing.
Prediction
We forecast a 2-1 victory for Kawasaki Frontale, with a halftime lead of 1-0. The match is expected to be competitive, featuring around 4 total cards. Confidence in this outcome is high at 85%, supported by Kawasaki's recent form and historical head-to-head dominance.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Kawasaki's Midfield Creativity vs Sanfrecce Defense
Wakizaka and Tachibanada's playmaking exploits exploit Sanfrecce's defensive gaps.
Erison's Scoring Form Boosts Kawasaki's Attack
Erison's recent goal surge aligns with Kawasaki's predicted 2 goals.
Sanfrecce's Consistent Scoring Streak
Sanfrecce has scored in last 5 matches, supporting their goal prediction.
Sasaki's Defensive Role Crucial to Kawasaki
Sasaki's tackling and passing key to disrupting Sanfrecce's forwards.
No Significant Injuries Reported
Both teams have full squads, no impact from missing players expected.
Key Takeaways
Kawasaki Frontale's blend of attacking flair and home advantage should see them narrowly overcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Expect a lively encounter with key contributions from Erison and Wakizaka, and a final scoreline of 2-1 to the hosts.
- Kawasaki Frontale have won 11 of 20 head-to-head matches against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
- Head-to-head matches average 2.9 total goals, indicating open play.
- Kawasaki Frontale are ranked 4th in the league with 28 points from 18 games.
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima currently sit 3rd with 30 points, showing competitive balance.
- Erison has scored 3 goals in his last 5 matches, leading Kawasaki's attack.
- Yasuto Wakizaka has contributed 2 goals and 3 assists in recent games.
- Sho Sasaki is a key defensive figure for Kawasaki, vital in disrupting Sanfrecce's forwards.
- The predicted total of 4 cards suggests a moderately physical encounter.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Kawasaki Frontale
Away — Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Maruyama
Yellow Card
Kawabe
Yellow Card
Nakamura
Assist: Matsumoto
Nakamura
Marcinho
Ito
Yellow Card
Kato
Arai
Mochiyama
Ito
Suzuki
Higashi
Penalty cancelled
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kashima | 18 | 15 | 0 | 3 | +20 | 45 |
| 3 |  Machida Zelvia | 18 | 13 | 0 | 5 | +6 | 37 |
| 4 |  Kawasaki Frontale | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 | -2 | 28 |
| 5 |  Tokyo Verdy | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 | -4 | 28 |
Match Statistics
Kawasaki Frontale
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1Louis Takaji Julien Thébault YamaguchiG
- 2Yuto MatsunaganeD
- 8Kento TachibanadaM
- 13Sota MiuraD
- 14Yasuto WakizakaM
- 17Tatsuya ItoM
- 19So KawaharaM
- 20K. MochiyamaF
- 23MarcinhoM
- 28Yuichi MaruyamaD
- 29Reon YamaharaD
Substitutes
- 15Toya MyoganM
- 18Kazuya KonnoM
- 21Yuki HayasakaG
- 22Filip UremovićD
- 24Ten MiyagiF
- 26Kota YuiM
- 27Ryota KamihashiD
- 30H. NodaD
- 49Svend Arvid Stanislaw BrodersenG
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
3-4-2-1Starting XI
- 3Taichi YamasakiD
- 6Hayao KawabeM
- 10Akito SuzukiF
- 11Masaru KatoF
- 13Naoto AraiM
- 14Taishi MatsumotoM
- 15Shuto NakanoD
- 19Sho SasakiD
- 24Shunki HigashiM
- 39Sota NakamuraF
- 99Issei OuchiG
Substitutes
- 9Ryo GermainF
- 16Takaaki ShichiD
- 17Kosuke KinoshitaF
- 18Daiki SugaM
- 21Yudai TanakaG
- 23Shun AyukawaF
- 25Yusuke ChajimaM
- 40Motoki OharaM
- 41Naoki MaedaF
Kawasaki Frontale
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuto Matsunagane | D | 90 | 8.2 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Reon Yamahara | D | 90 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Kento Tachibanada | M | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| So Kawahara | M | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Sota Miura | D | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| Yuichi Maruyama | D | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Kyosuke Mochiyama | F | 74 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/2 |
| Marcinho | M | 64 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Yasuto Wakizaka(C) | M | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Louis Yamaguchi | G | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tatsuya Ito | M | 82 | 6.5 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Yuki Hayasaka | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Svend Brodersen | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ryota Kamihashi | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kota Yui | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Filip Uremović | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hiroto Noda | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ten Miyagi | F | 26 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Toya Myogan | M | 8 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/1 |
| Kazuya Konno | M | 16 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/2 |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issei Ouchi | G | 90 | 8.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sasaki Sho(C) | D | 90 | 7.6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Kawabe Hayao | M | 90 | 7.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Yamasaki Taichi | D | 90 | 7.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sota Nakamura | F | 57 | 7.3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0/1 |
| Taishi Matsumoto | M | 90 | 7.2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Akito Suzuki | F | 85 | 6.9 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0/1 |
| Arai Naoto | M | 69 | 6.6 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1/2 |
| Higashi Shunki | M | 85 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Shuto Nakano | D | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Kato Mutsuki | F | 69 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Daiki Suga | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Yudai Tanaka | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shun Ayukawa | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Motoki Ohara | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Maeda Naoki | F | 33 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| Chajima Yusuke | M | 21 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Shichi Takaaki | D | 14 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kinoshita Kosuke | F | 14 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Ryo Germain | F | 21 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |