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J1 League | Gameweek 20

Jun 26, 2024 at 11am UK

Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium

Kawasaki
1 - 1
Shonan Bellmare

Marcinho (62')
Yamada (33'), Oshima (88'), Ominami (90+5')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Tanaka (78')
Barada (90+7')

Preview: Kawasaki Frontale vs. Shonan Bellmare - prediction, team news, lineups

By Ben Sully | 24 June 2024

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's J1 League clash between Kawasaki Frontale and Shonan Bellmare, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Shonan Bellmare will attempt to end a four-game winless league run when they face Kawasaki Frontale in Wednesday's J1 League contest.

The visitors are currently languishing in 18th place in the standings, while Kawasaki are six points better off in 14th position.

Match preview

Kawasaki Frontale's Marcinho in action on May 25, 2024 [IMAGO] © Imago

Kawasaki have gone two games without a win since beating fourth-tier Sony Sendai 2-0 in the second round of the Emperor's Cup – a competition that they won for a second time last season.

Toru Oniki's side returned to league action with two away matches, losing 1-0 to reigning J1 League champions Vissel Kobe, before scoring a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Albirex Niigata.

Kawasaki will be disappointed to be sitting in 14th place after finishing in the top half in each of the last 15 seasons, including title-winning campaigns in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021.

They have at least proven to be a tough team to beat in recent home games, having put together a five-game unbeaten home league run since losing to Machida Zelvia on April 7.

The hosts can also take confidence from the fact that they have already beaten Shonan Bellmare this season, with goals from Yasuto Wakizaka and Erison proving enough to claim a 2-1 away victory in February.

Shonan Bellmare are currently sitting in the relegation zone, having won three, drawn six and lost 10 of their 19 league matches.

They have also taken just one point from four matches since recording their most recent top-flight win over Albirex Niigata on May 19.

Satoshi Yamaguchi's side looked set to play out a goalless draw in Saturday's meeting with Tokyo, before conceding in the 79th minute to fall to a second straight home league defeat.

After experiencing disappointment on home turf, Shonan Bellmare will now head on their travels, where they have collected just seven points this season.

In fact, Wednesday's visitors are winless in nine J1 League away games since beating Kyoto Sanga 2-1 in their first away match of the season.

Kawasaki Frontale J1 League form:

Kawasaki Frontale form (all competitions):

Shonan Bellmare J1 League form:

Shonan Bellmare form (all competitions):

Team News

Shonan Bellmare's Kim Min-tae in action on March 17, 2024 [IMAGO] © Imago

Kawasaki are expected to be without the services of Shintaro Kurumaya, Yuichi Maruyama, Sota Miura, Ten Miyagi and Erison.

Midfielder Kento Tachibanada is set to return to the starting lineup after missing the draw with Albirex Niigata due to suspension.

Shin Yamada could be rewarded with a starting spot after coming off the bench to score a stoppage-time equaliser in Saturday's draw.

As for the visitors, they may be unable to call upon Kim Min-tae, Taiyo Hiraoka and Ryo Nemoto due to injury.

Taiga Hata is in contention to start after he came off the bench to make his return from a three-game injury absence at the weekend.

Lukian and Sho Fukuda will resume their forward partnership, having scored 13 league goals between them this season.

Kawasaki Frontale possible starting lineup:
Jung; Segawa, Jesiel, Ominami, Sasaki; Yamamoto, Tachibanada, Tono; Ienaga, Marcinho, Kobayashi

Shonan Bellmare possible starting lineup:
Song; Tachi, Ono, J Suzuki; Y Suzuki, Ikeda, Tanaka, Yamada, Hota; Lukian, Fukuda

SM words green background

We say: Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 Shonan Bellmare

Kawasaki Frontale have won each of their previous three competitive meetings with Wednesday's opponents, and we think that they will continue that impressive run against a Shonan Bellmare side that has lost three of their last four away league games.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.