Kashima Antlers VS Chivas Match Prediction

  • Logo2018-12-15
  • Logo13:00:00
Kashima Antlers
VS
Chivas

Our Prediction Tip

Kashima Antlers will win this match.

Kashima faces off against Chivas for the very first time in this intercontinental tie.

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Kashima Antlers vs Chivas Betting Tips and Odds

Kashima Antlers clinched qualification to this exclusive event by winning the AFC Champions League back in November.  The Japanese side had a difficult road to the just reach the final after meeting Shanghai SIPG in the Round of 16 and Suwon Bluewings in the semi-final, but they won and reached the final against Iranian side Persepolis, which they beat 2-0 over two legs.

Chivas, meanwhile, won the CONCACAF Champions League to get them into this competition.  That tournament wrapped up back in April, so it has been a while since it finished.  The Mexican side scratched and clawed their way toward the final after escaping the New York Red Bulls only to be underdogs against Canadians Toronto FC.  However, somehow managed to get to penalties and defeat them to earn their way to the UAE.

In the previous season domestically, both teams had very different times.  In Japan, Kashima finished in third place, good enough to get them into a playoff for a place in the Champions League again, but well off the pace of the winners Kawasaki Frontale.  Chivas had a much worse time of things in the ‘fall’ Apertura season, finishing in 11th place having earned just barely more than a point per match and failing to get into the playoffs as a result.

Kashima will be making its second appearance in the Club World Cup this year. Their first one was in 2016 when they came into the tournament as the host nation.  They would go all the way to the final, where they lost 4-2 in extra time to Real Madrid in an extraordinary game.  Chivas are making their debut at the tournament themselves.

Kashima Antlers vs Chivas Prediction

Neither side have a realistic chance of beating Real Madrid once they make it to the semis, but Chivas just don’t have that much going for them right now.  Their player policy is holding them back, and it shows through in Al Ain.

Correct Score Prediction: Kashima Antlers 2-1 Chivas

Kashima Antlers Team News

Go Oiwa has a few injuries to his team that will force him to make changes.  Right back Yukitoshi Ito, left back Itsuko Oda, defensive midfielders Leo Silva and Kent Misao, left midfielder Atsutaka Nakamura, and striker Yuma Suzuki look like missing out in Al Ain.

Kashima Antlers Key Man

With some important players set to miss out, Kashima will have to look toward other stars to come through.  Luckily for them, they have a holdover in Yashushi Endo that starred in the amazing cup run two years ago.  Endo scored in both the quarterfinal and semi-final to help seal their progress to the final and has big experience to drive them on.  Brazilian Serginho is another key man to watch.  He scored in five matches running ahead of the second leg of the AFC Champions League Final and thus has the know-how to score in big knockout games.  

Kashima Antlers Team Form

Kashima have a loss, two draws, and two wins in their last five matches:

1-0 loss at Urawa Reds (Emperor Cup)
0-0 home draw vs Sagan Tosu (J1)
0-3 win at Vegalta Sendai (J1)
1-0 home win vs Ventforet Kofu (Emperor Cup)
0-0 draw at Persepolis (Asian Champions League)

Kashima Antlers Expected Line up

Expected Line up: 4-4-2

Chivas Team News

Jose Cardozo, unlike his counterpart, looks set to have a full team to pick from for this quarterfinal tie.

Chivas Key Man

At the back, Chivas have one of North America’s most experienced defenders in Carlos Salcido, and they will need every bit of that knowledge here.  The versatile former Fulham and PSV has racked up the caps for Mexico over the years and will need to come up with turn-back-the-clock style showing here.  Up front, Alan Pulido is one to watch.  The 27 year old striker, who has five goals for his country, hasn’t had the best of seasons but remains one of their most promising stars nonetheless.

Chivas Team Form

Chivas have two losses, a win, and two draws in their last five matches:

0-1 home loss vs Tigres
0-1 win at Leon
2-2 draw at Puebla
1-2 home loss vs Morelia
1-1 draw at Lobos BUAP

Chivas Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 5-3-2

Two years ago in Japan, Kashima went on a fairytale run to the final of this very competition and took Real Madrid to extra time before coming up just short in the end. The unlikely run began with a stuttering start against Auckland City, something they can ill-afford here. Luckily for them, Chivas aren't in the best of form. They've looked poor recently in Mexico, and the Japanese side should really be taking advantage of that.
Chivas have just one win from their last nine matches in all competitions.