Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Kashima Antlers: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/1/2023

Time: 2 a.m. ET

Venue: Kashima Stadium, Ibaraki, Japan

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Caesars: Check back later for odds

Sanfrecce: 2-2-1

Kashima: 2-1-2

Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Kashima Antlers will face off on April 1, 2023 in a highly anticipated J1 League matchup. Both teams will be looking to make an early statement in the season and secure a valuable three points.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima finished in eighth place in the J1 League last season, missing out on a spot in the top half of the table by just one point. They will be looking to improve upon their record this season and make a push for a spot in the J1 League playoffs.

Kashima Antlers, on the other hand, finished in fourth place in the J1 League last season and qualified for the AFC Champions League. They will be looking to build upon their success and compete for the J1 League title this season.

Both teams have some talented players who could make a big impact in this game, so let's take a closer look at what fans can expect.

One player to watch for Sanfrecce Hiroshima is midfielder Sho Inagaki. Inagaki had a solid 2022 season, scoring six goals and providing five assists in 29 appearances. He will be looking to continue his strong play in the upcoming season and help lead his team to victory in this matchup.

Another player to watch for Sanfrecce Hiroshima is goalkeeper Keisuke Osako. Osako had a strong 2022 season, keeping nine clean sheets in 32 appearances. He will be looking to continue his strong play in the upcoming season and keep Kashima Antlers' talented attack at bay in this matchup.

On the Kashima Antlers' side, one player to watch is forward Everaldo. Everaldo had a strong debut season in the J1 League last season, scoring 13 goals and providing three assists in 28 appearances. He will be looking to continue his strong play in the upcoming season and lead Kashima Antlers to victory in this game.

Another player to watch for Kashima Antlers is midfielder Leo Silva. Silva had a solid 2022 season, scoring six goals and providing six assists in 32 appearances. He will be looking to continue his strong play in the upcoming season and help lead Kashima Antlers to victory in this game.

When it comes to tactics, both teams have different styles of play that could make for an interesting matchup. Sanfrecce Hiroshima typically play a possession-based style of football, looking to control the ball and create scoring opportunities through short passes and quick movement. Kashima Antlers, on the other hand, typically play a more direct style of football, looking to play long balls forward and capitalize on their opponents' mistakes.

Both teams also have some solid defensive players who could make it difficult for the opposing attack to score. Sanfrecce Hiroshima has a strong defense led by Osako and center back Hayato Araki. Kashima Antlers, meanwhile, have a solid defense led by center back Tomoya Inukai and goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae.

Overall, this game promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams with different styles of play. Fans can expect to see some great individual performances and some tactical battles on the field. Whether you're a Sanfrecce Hiroshima fan or a Kashima Antlers fan, this is a game you won't want to miss.

Prediction

A good battle between two teams that are in the middle of the table for this league. This is the time of the year where teams try to separate themselves from the pack and potentially have something up their sleeve to start showing their opponents. Kashima intrigues me from the standpoint that their attack game is a tad underrated. I like the way they play up the field and I think they have the chance to really open things up. Kashima 3, Sanfreece 1