🏏 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:00 JST
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
vs
Shimizu S-pulse
3-4-2-1 vs 3-4-2-1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Hiroshima sit 11th with just 10 points from 9 matches and are on a four-game losing streak (LWLLL). The 2024 J1 champions' struggles are one of the season's biggest surprises. Shimizu, meanwhile, are thriving in 5th place with 14 points from 10 games, showing impressive form for a promoted side.
- Shimizu won the first meeting 3-1 in Round 8, and will look to maintain that momentum. Hiroshima will be desperate to avoid a season double and arrest their alarming slide.
- Both teams deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, creating a mirror match where individual quality becomes paramount. The wing-back battles and the movement of the shadow strikers will be critical.
- Hiroshima's Tolgay Arslan, a product of Borussia Dortmund's academy with Bundesliga and Serie A experience, brings elite vision and playmaking ability. His creativity could be the key to unlocking Shimizu's midfield.
- Shimizu's lone striker Oh Se-hun stands 194cm tall and is a dominant force in aerial duels and hold-up play. Hiroshima's veteran back three of Sasaki, Araki, and Shioya will need to find an answer to his physicality.
- Hiroshima's Kawabe Shun plays in the double pivot. With experience across four European countries, his driving runs from deep and progressive dribbling could inject much-needed attacking impetus into a struggling side.
- Shimizu's Uno Zento, nicknamed 'World's Ball Hunter,' possesses outstanding ball-winning ability. If he can disrupt Hiroshima's build-up play in midfield, it will be the foundation of Shimizu's defensive solidity.
- Hiroshima face their biggest crisis of the season with four consecutive defeats. Although still in the upper half, further losses could see them slide into the bottom portion of the table. This home match is a pivotal moment to turn their fortunes around.