Vissel Kobe vs Kashima Antlers Prediction: Vissel Kobe Have The Joint Best Home Record In The League

Vissel Kobe will welcome Kashima Antlers to the Japan National Stadium in the 30th round of the J1 League.

With the international break over, Vissel Kobe will now begin their promising quest to clinch their first ever league title in club history as they seek to score maximum points in front of their fans and consolidate their position atop the standings.

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

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Vissel Kobe

Form: WWLWD

Vissel Kobe went into the international break with a smile on their faces as they put a marker on themselves as strong favorites to lift this season's trophy with a 2-0 away win over Yokohama F. Marinos.

Before that, a 59th-minute strike from Daiju Sasaki was enough to see them pick up maximum points at home in a 1-0 triumph against Cerezo Osaka, and this comes after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sanfrecce Hiroshima on the road, thwarting their chances of extending their unbeaten run in the league to five matches.

The Ushi boasts the joint best home record this season, along with sixth-placed Nagoya Grampus having collected the same number of points (31 in fifteen matches played so far). They are currently unbeaten in ten home matches, recording seven wins and three draws, which makes them a formidable side coming into this one where their win is not to be doubted.

They currently occupy first place with 58 points in the standings and have maintained a four-point lead over second-placed Yokohama F. Marinos.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

D. Maekawa; R. Hatsuse, Y. Honda, T. Yamakawa, G. Sakai; T. Ogihara, H. Yamaguchi; Y. Muto, D. Sasaki, N. Iino; Y. Osako

Kashima Antlers

Form: DLWDW

Kashima Antlers knew that their path to victory against Avispa Fukuoka wasn't going to be straightforward and, as such, managed to score themselves a point in a goalless draw after being wasteful with clear-cut chances in the final third.

Before that, they blew up a one-goal lead to record a disappointing 2-1 loss against Yokohama F. Marinos in front of their fans, thwarting their chances of picking up their second win on the bounce, as this comes after a 1-0 win over Cerezo Osaka at home.

Kashima Antlers are currently on a two-match winless run when playing away, picking up draws against Shonan Bellmare (2-2) and Avispa Fukuoka (0-0). However, that's the tip of the iceberg, as they have won one of their eight matches alongside five draws and two losses, and it goes without saying they'll once again be in for an uphill battle against the league's in-form side for a favorable outcome on the road.

They currently occupy fourth place with 47 points in the standings, with fifth-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima and sixth-placed Nagoya Grampus, while their aspirations for a third-place finish are hindered by a three-point deficit.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-2

T. Hayakawa; K. Anzai, I. Sekigawa, N. Ueda, R. Hirose; T. Fujii, K. Sano, D. Pituca, Y. Higuchi; Y. Suzuki, K. Chinen

Match Facts

• Vissel Kobe have lost two of their fifteen home matches in the J1 League.
• Kashima Antlers have won three of their last ten matches against Vissel Kobe.
• Vissel Kobe is currently on a two-match losing streak at home when playing against the Kashima Antlers.

Head-To-Head

In the last 47 meetings, Vissel Kobe have won 13 times, Kashima Antlers have won 23 times, and there have been 11 draws, with the goal difference being 73-55 in favor of Kashima Antlers.

Expert Betting Tips

Vissel Kobe, who have taken control of the title race in the standings, knows that they are on the verge of clinching their first league title in club history, and such a history-worthy endeavor means they can't afford to slip up in the crucial stages of the season.

Kashima Antlers are winless in three consecutive away matches in the league, and that alone is cause for concern as to whether they'll be able to step up to the plate in this one and get back on track. Despite boasting a superior record in head-to-head meetings, we don't expect to see them trouble a side brimming with excessive confidence.

As such, picking up Vissel Kobe to win in the full-time market should surface given that they are the better side on paper at the moment despite a not-so-convincing performance in this fixture.

• W1 for 2.22
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.89
• Corners - Over 10 for 2.20