Kashima Antlers vs Avispa Fukuoka Prediction: A Low-scoring Affair Undoubtedly On The Cards

Kashima Antlers will welcome Avispa Fukuoka to the Kashima Stadium in the 34th round of the J1 League. 

Let's have a look at the latest J1 League between Kashima Antlers vs. Avispa Fukuoka, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Form: WLDDL 

It has been a productive season for Kashima Antlers, who have exceeded expectations after last season's fifth-place finish. This season has them challenging for a top-three finish, although they are faced with a six-point deficit to make that dream become reality.

The Antlers left no stone unturned before the international break as they recorded a 4-0 win over Albirex Niigata. This halted a five-match winless run across all competitions (L3, D2). During this period, they were eliminated from the Emperor's Cup by Vissel Kobe, conceding three goals without an answer. Despite this, they will be aiming to further boost their confidence with another comfortable win, and a home return is the perfect remedy in this situation, having avoided defeat in their last 19 matches (W10, D9).

Form: WDDLL

Providing the opposition are Avispa Fukuoka, who, in contrast, are enduring a challenging campaign this season that doesn't reflect their seventh-place finish in the previous season. They are currently positioned in the middle of the table and are ten points behind their opponents in this upcoming encounter. 

Thanks to Itsuki Oda's late goal in their match against Nagoya Grampus, the team was able to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Best Denki Stadium. Prior to this, Fukuoka were on a 12-match winless run across all competitions (L7, D5), but to everyone’s surprise, that wasn't enough to convince the board to sack head coach Shigetoshi Hasebe, who is due to leave at the end of the season.

• Kashima Antlers have preserved nine clean sheets in their last 19 home matches in the J1 League.
• Avispa Fukuoka have failed to score in four of their last five J1 League games.
• Kashima Antlers averages 1.55 goals per game when playing at home. Avispa Fukuoka averages 0.94 goals per game when playing away.

In the last 21 meetings, Kashima Antlers have won 12 times, Avispa Fukuoka have won 6 times, and there have been 3 draws with the goal difference being 34-16 in favour of Kashima Antlers. 

Kashima Antlers has only managed one win in their last seven matches in the J1 League, which goes to show that they have been in poor form. However, they will be aiming to build on their home advantage to secure a favourable outcome and make it two wins in a row.

Considering that the total has gone under 2.5 goals in seven of their last nine encounters, we anticipate the same trend to continue here in what will be a low-scoring affair.

• Total - Under 2 for 1.88
• Full-time Result - Kashima Antlers for 1.80
• 1st Goal - Kashima Antlers for 1.61