Fortress Frontale to silence Shimizu's home roar? (Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kawasaki Frontale prediction) | OneFootball

Frontale Look to Extend Unbeaten Run Against Struggling Shimizu

Kawasaki Frontale will aim to maintain their impressive unbeaten streak when they travel to IAI Stadium Nihondaira to face a Shimizu S-Pulse side desperate to arrest their recent slide in the J1 League on Saturday.

Form Guide

Shigetoshi Hasebe's Frontale side currently sit third in the table with 16 points, just one point behind joint leaders Machida Zelvia and Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Their recent form has been particularly impressive, going unbeaten in their last five league matches.

Kawasaki demonstrated their resilience in their most recent outing, fighting back to secure a 2-2 draw against Machida Zelvia with goals from Marcinho and Yusuke Segawa. This followed convincing victories over Shonan Bellmare (2-0) and FC Tokyo (3-0), showcasing their attacking prowess.

In stark contrast, Takashi Akiba's Shimizu outfit have endured a difficult period, suffering defeats in their last two matches. Currently sitting 10th with 11 points, they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Yokohama FC after a narrow 2-1 loss to Urawa.

Their last victory came in Round 7 when they dispatched Shonan Bellmare 3-0, offering a glimpse of their potential when firing on all cylinders.

Team News

Kawasaki may have concerns over midfielder Kento Tachibanada, who picked up an injury during the match against Machida Zelvia earlier this month. His availability remains uncertain, while questions also surround the fitness of Lee Geun-Hyeong.

Shimizu appear to have a clean bill of health heading into the fixture, with no reported injuries or suspensions affecting their squad selection.

Key Battles

The midfield contest could prove decisive, with Kawasaki's influential Yasuto Wakizaka – who has contributed two goals and three assists this season – likely to be challenged by Shimizu's January arrival Matheus Bueno.

Veteran goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong, now 40, continues to provide a reassuring presence between the posts for Kawasaki, while Shimizu will look to experienced campaigner Takashi Inui (35) to provide creativity in the final third.

Frontale's attack has been firing on all cylinders, with Erison netting three goals in eight appearances, supported by the creative talents of Wakizaka and Marcinho. Shimizu's defence, which has shown vulnerability in recent weeks, will need to be at their best to contain this threat.

Prediction

Shimizu's home advantage could provide a boost, with the passionate crowd at IAI Stadium Nihondaira creating an intimidating atmosphere. However, Kawasaki's attacking quality and superior form make them favourites.

Akiba's men showed against Shonan Bellmare that they can be clinical when opportunities arise, but Frontale's momentum and tactical flexibility under Hasebe should prove too strong.

Predicted Score: Shimizu S-Pulse 1-2 Kawasaki Frontale