Kashima Antlers vs Shanghai SIPG
AFC Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 9 May 2018
Kick-Off at 11:00 UK / 12:00 CET
Venue: Kashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima.
Kashima Antlers suffered the first defeat in the group phase only in the last round when they dropped out the top spot by falling 0.1 at home to Suwon. The loss might prove out to be the decisive one in the entire competition for the Japanese outfit who will have a very tough job going past last year’s semi-finalists Shanghai SIPG over two legs.
The first one is set to be played on Wednesday when Go Oiwa’s side will try and grab at least some sort of advantage ahead of the rematch in China. Interestingly, the Antlers were denied right at this stage of the competition in the previous term against the Chinese opposition. They fell on the away-goal rule (2-2 on aggregate) to Guangzhou Evergrande.
Shanghai cruised their way towards finishing the Group F at the very top of the standing above Korean Ulsan. Vitor Pereira’s men secured the first place in the group after four matches.
Kashima Antlers vs Shanghai SIPG: Head-to-head
The two teams did not have the chance to lock horns in the past.
Kashima Antlers vs Shanghai SIPG: Prediction
Shanghai come into this tie as favourites both on the day and over two legs and we would be very surprised to see the star-studded side falling down to Kashima here. The head coach Vitor Pereira has a true predator in his ranks in the like of Wu Lei who bagged an impressive ten-goal tally in nine Chinese Super League matches so far.
Team’s main star Hulk was substituted late in the first half of the weekend’s home loss to Beijing Gouan due to a slight injury. The Brazilian forward might thus skip the match in Kashima. The hosts have a predator of their own in the like of Mu Kanazaki who is their top scorer in both J-League and AFC Champions League. He scored the only goal in the weekend’s home win over Urawa Reds.
With such a strong firepower on display, it’s hard to imagine a low-scoring contest. We’ll shoot for the BTTS option, priced at 1.57 odds. Braver tipsters can chase the draw at 3.25.
Kashima Antlers vs Shanghai SIPG: Bet Tips
BTTS @ 1.57
Draw @ 3.25.
