Ventforet vs Kashima Antlers Prediction and Betting Tips

Ventforet vs Kashima Antlers Prediction and Betting Tips | August 21st 2024

Modified Aug 20, 2024 04:58 GMT

Kashima Antlers v Urawa Red Diamonds - J.LEAGUE MEIJI YASUDA J1 - Source: Getty

Ventforet Kofu and Kashima Antlers will trade tackles in an Emperor's Cup round-of-16 tie on Wednesday (August 21st). The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 3-0 defeat away to Shimizu S-Pulse in the J2 League.

Carlinhos, Lucas Braga and Abdul-Aziz Yakubu scored to help Shimizu claim maximum points while their visitors ended the game with 10 men.

Antlers, meanwhile, shared the spoils in a goalless draw at home to Urawa Red Diamonds.

They will now turn their focus to the cup and booked their spot at this stage with a 2-1 home win over Fujieda MYFC in the last round in July. Kofu, meanwhile, needed extratime to eliminate Cerezo Osaka with a 2-1 away victory.

The winner of this tie will face either Kashiwa Reysol or Vissel Kobe in the quarterfinal.

Ventforet vs Kashima Antlers Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

Kashima Antlers have 12 wins from the last 23 head-to-head games. Ventforet Kofu were victorious eight times while three games ended in a share of the spoils.
Their most recent clash came in July 2023 when Kofu advanced with an 11-10 penalty shootout victory in the Emperors Cup.
Four of Antlers' last five games in all competitions have witnessed goals at both ends.
Antlers have won four of the last seven head-to-head games in regulation time (two draws).
Four of Kofu's last five games across competitions have witnessed more goals in the second half than the first.
Antlers have won just one of their last six away games across competitions, losing four games in this sequence.

Ventforet vs Kashima Antlers Prediction

Ventforet Kofu eliminated a J1 League opposition in the last round to get here and will need to repeat this feat if they are to advance. Their loss last weekend ended their four-game unbeaten streak across competitions (three wins).

Kashima Antlers have seen their league title race take a hit in recent weeks following their current two-game winless run. Their intense three-way title race means manager Ranko Popović might name a weakened squad with more focus placed on the league.

Nevertheless, the visitors should still have too much firepower and we are backing them to claim a narrow win with goals at both ends.

Prediction: Ventforet 1-2 Kashima Antlers