Kashima Antlers VS Real Madrid Match Prediction
2018-12-19
16:30:00
Kashima Antlers
VS
Real Madrid
Our Prediction Tip
Real Madrid will win this match.
2018-12-1916:30:00 Real Madrid will win this match.
Kashima Antlers and Real Madrid last met in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final. Karim Benzema gave Real the lead in Yokohama, but Gaku Shibasaki’s double – either side of half-time – turned the game on its head. Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the spot, however, and in extra time added two more to seal the first of Real’s current back-to-back Club World Cup successes.
%HEAD-TO-HEAD-STATS-BANNER%
Real Madrid’s inconsistency may concern them this season, and has already led to the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, but they should still be backed to win this one.
Kashima Antlers, in Japan, took them to extra time in 2016 when they last met, but – despite being well supported in the UAE – they do not have the same home advantage.
Even then, Real – with the obvious exception of Cristiano Ronaldo – have the core of their triple Champions League winners and a third consecutive Club World Cup title would put the icing on the intercontinental cake.
Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are both set to be fit and that would be a huge boost if so, with both key to the bright start Real might need.
Even in their absence, however, there are options – Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Junior, for example, who can prove their worth on the biggest stage.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric add quality and control in abundance in midfield, while Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos are rocks at the back.
Kashima Antlers love their plucky underdogs title, and they played well to beat Chivas in their first game, but Real should have another final to look forward to – as long as they put in a professional performance.
Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid are big favourites to beat Kashima Antlers, with Bet365 and Betway both offering 2/9 on a European win.
There were six goals when these sides last met, albeit with two after extra time. Over 2.5 goals returns just 19/40 with Bet365 and Betway but over 3.5 could be tempting at 6/5 with Bet365.
Both teams to score has been set at 4/5 with Bet365 and Betway, meanwhile, and a Real win and BTTS is 7/4 with Betway.
Real Madrid have the strength all over the pitch to comfortably beat Kashima Antlers, even if they have been worringly inconsistent at times this season.
Leandro was hoiked at half-time in the win against Guadalajara last time out, with Hiroki Abe replacing him and scoring what proved to be the winner. Abe will be pushing for a start now, but the rest of the Antlers’ side proved their value in a comeback win.
Hiroki Abe – Introduced at half-time against Guadalajara, at 1-0 down, and scored the third goal in Kashima Antlers’ 3-2 win.
Serginho – Three goals in just ten appearances for the 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder shows the impact he can have, as well as being cool from the spot against Chivas.
Kwoun Sun Tae – After 40 games in goal this season, the South Korean stopper – voted into the K League Best XI in three straight years – has established himself as Kashima’s number one.
Kashima Antlers have lost just one of their last ten matches and, after a 1-0 loss to Urawa Reds in the Emperor ended their eight-match unbeaten run on the eve of the Club World Cup, they bounced back by beating Guadalajara last time out. Having drawn 0-0 with Sagan Tosu in their last J1 League match too, goals from Ryoya Nagaki, Serginho and Hiroki Abe also ended two games without scoring, as Kashima ran out 3-2 winners.
Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale have both travelled to the UAE despite carrying knocks, and both could feature against Kashima Antlers. Mariano Diaz is ruled out, however. Nacho has also travelled with the squad but the Spanish centre-back is not expected to return to fitness until the new year.
Karim Benzema – Opened the scoring in the final against Kashima Antlers two years ago and the Frenchman – last weekend’s match winner – has 11 for the season so far.
Gareth Bale – The Welshman’s winning goal against Huesca was his seventh of the campaign despite regular injury worries.
Luka Modric – The Ballon d’Or winner has a point to prove after scooping the biggest individual prize for his Champions League and World Cup performances.
Real Madrid have won five of their last six matches, with their only defeat a heavy home loss to CSKA Moscow in their final Champions League group game. Either side, Real bagged a pair of 1-0 league victories – Gareth Bale scoring the winner at Huesca and Karim Benzema doing likewise at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Watch Live Streaming