The big picture

Sanfrecce Hiroshima come in 3rd on the ladder with 30 points; Kashima Antlers are 6th on 23. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have the higher position to protect.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima are 21–10–2 in J1 League 2026, averaging 1.9 goals for and 1 against.

Kashima Antlers are 22–10–2 in J1 League 2026, averaging 1.8 goals for and 1.1 against.

Form

Sanfrecce Hiroshima have won four of their last five and most recently beat Mito Hollyhock 3–0.

Kashima Antlers have won two of their last five and most recently lost to FC Tokyo 0–2.

Head to head

These sides have met 10 times on our records since 2019: Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4, Kashima Antlers 3, 3 drawn.

Last time out (2025), it was a draw 1–1 at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Biggest margin between these two: Sanfrecce Hiroshima by 3 goals in 2022 (3–0).

Players to watch

For Sanfrecce Hiroshima, watch Akito Suzuki (0.5 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026) and Mutsuki Kato (0.2 goals a game, 5 assists in 2026).

For Kashima Antlers, watch Aleksandar Cavric (1.3 goals a game in 2026-27) and Homare Tokuda (0.5 goals a game, 1 assist in 2026-27).

Milestone watch

Shuto Nakano is set to play game 150.

At Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima

Sanfrecce Hiroshima have won 15 of their last 20 at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Sanfrecce Hiroshima go in as clear favourites.