Kashima Antlers – FW Koroki is suspended. DF/MF Yamamura is with the Olympic team. GK Sogahata is doubtful.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima – MF Hwang is with Korea’s Olympic team. MFs Yamagishi and Mikic are considered doubtful.
Eight wins for Antlers, six for Sanfrecce including a home win in J1 earlier this season, and three draws over the last decade.

Kashima Antlers (11th – P18 W7 D4 L7 GD +4 Pts. 25) have struggled to find a consistent run this season but have pulled away from the bottom after their terrible start. They have won their last two games by one goal, and drew two before that, but, again, only scored a goal in each game. They will need more than one goal against Sanfrecce Hiroshima (1st – P18 W11 D3 L4 GD +19 Pts. 36) if they are to win this one. Hiroshima hit the top of J1 – all be it on goals scored, having the same goal difference as Vegalta – and will be looking to stay there as we roll into the 2nd half of the season. Players are in form, not least striker Hisashi Sato – J1’s top scorer, and they will roll over Kashima today. EXPECT a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA.