Kashima Antlers vs Machida Zelvia Best odds and tips

Kashima Antlers have been the class of the J League 2025 with 25 points from 13 games, but Machida Zelvia will be no pushovers when they arrive at Kashima Stadium on Saturday. The hosts have a slightly better head-to-head record against their visitors (Won 1, lost 1) but Machida Zelvia got the better of them the last time they met, winning 2-0 at home in the J League Cup 2024.

There is little to choose between these teams on paper and the bookmakers can’t split them either with both sides available at +130 to win and the draw at -111. Machida Zelvia sit 7th in the J League 2025 table with 20 points from 13 matches, which is still a good enough return to be in the top third, but they are a long way off the leaders. Kashima Antlers have won five, drawn one and lost one at home in the J League 2025, scoring 14 goals in seven matches at an average of two per game. Machida Zelvia have won five, drawn one and lost one on the road in the J League 2025, scoring 1.43 goals per game and conceding just 0.71.

Toru Oniki has helmed Kashima Antlers since February 2025, quickly imposing his possession-based style and stabilizing their defense. Go Kuroda’s Machida Zelvia play fast in transition and press hard after turnovers. Kashima Antlers use their full backs to push forward in their 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 systems, while Machida Zelvia play faster in transition. The clash of styles makes this an interesting matchup and it could go either way depending on early momentum.