The big picture

Kashima Antlers come in 6th on the ladder with 23 points; Machida Zelvia are 4th on 29. Only a couple of spots separate them, so there is plenty riding on it.

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

Machida Zelvia are 22–6–5 in J1 League 2026, averaging 1.7 goals for and 1 against.

Form

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

Machida Zelvia have won three of their last five and most recently drew with Gamba Osaka 0–0.

Head to head

These sides have met 6 times on our records since 2024: Kashima Antlers 4, Machida Zelvia 2.

Last time out (2026, Kashima Antlers win 4-2 on penalties), Kashima Antlers won 1–1 at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Biggest margin between these two: Kashima Antlers by 3 goals in 2026 (3–0).

Players to watch

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).

For Machida Zelvia, watch Yuki Soma (0.3 goals a game, 7 assists in 2026) and Tete Yengi (0.2 goals a game, 2 assists in 2026).

At Kashima Soccer Stadium

Kashima Antlers have won 17 of their last 20 at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

What the numbers say

On the numbers this is too close to split.