Kashima v Cerezo Osaka: numbers & prediction

Kashima vs Cerezo Osaka: Betarazi preview and prediction

The fixture

07:00 WAT, Saturday 31 October: Kashima v Cerezo Osaka in the J1 League, played at Mercari Stadium. In the table, Kashima are 1st, leading the league, on 45 points after 18 matches; Cerezo Osaka are 2nd (among the top four) with 31. There are 14 points between them, and the seasons have gone in opposite directions.

Current form

Kashima, last 5: WLDWW Their latest outing: 3–0 win over Pohang Steelers, at home. In their own stadium the record reads 3 won, 1 lost from 4. The attack is flying at 2.0 goals per game. Defensively they have kept 4 clean sheets in that run.

Cerezo Osaka, last 5: WDDLW Their latest outing: 3–1 win over Mito Hollyhock, away. Away from home the record reads 2 won, 0 lost from 3. Goals for and against: 1.8 scored, 1.7 conceded per game.

Momentum favours Kashima, collecting 2.2 points per game to 1.5 for Cerezo Osaka.

Where the goals come from

Betarazi's ratings give Kashima 2.2 xG, Cerezo Osaka 1.0 xG – a total near 3.2. Both nets should be busy – over 2.5 sits at 62% and GG at 58%.

Markets worth a look

• 1X2 according to our numbers – Kashima 65%, draw 21%, Cerezo Osaka 14%.
• Lower-risk option: Kashima or draw (86%) at 1.20.
• GG/NG: GG (58%) at 1.57.
• Price worth noting: Kashima to win @1.70 – the bookmaker implies 59%, our ratings say 65%.

Our call before kick-off

Our pre-match call was Kashima or draw (86%, odds 1.20 – longer than our fair 1.16, so there is value too). Most likely score in line with that pick: Kashima 2–0 Cerezo Osaka. Settled on the 90-minute result. Nothing in football is guaranteed – 18+, bet only what you can afford.