Taking a short break from their domestic title race, Kashima Antlers will welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Japan for a friendly clash on Wednesday night in Tokyo.
The Antlers have enjoyed a positive run of form ahead of a match versus Premier League opposition, who are preparing for life under new management following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi.
Match preview
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After finishing either fourth or fifth during the last three campaigns, Kashima Antlers are on a mission to return to continental football via the J1 League this year, with Wednesday's 'hosts' currently embroiled in a three-sided pursuit of the Japanese crown.
The Antlers are occupying third position in the top-tier standings ahead of the final 14 matches of the 2024 season, level on points with Gamba Osaka in the second AFC Champions League spot and five points behind leaders Machida Zelvia, who are aiming to secure their first-ever J1 League title.
Kashima come into this week's friendly clash with Brighton in high spirits having won three of their last four matches across the J1 League and Japanese Cup, including a 2-1 success over FC Tokyo on Saturday, when goals either side of the half-time break from Shintaro Nago and Kimito Nono secured maximum points.
The Seagulls should be mightily pleased that Wednesday's match is not taking place at the Kashima Soccer Stadium, where Ranko Popovic's troops are unbeaten during the 2024 league campaign, winning eight and drawing four of their 12 top-tier contests at the venue.
Having lifted eight titles since the J1 League's inception, Kashima are still referred to by sections of the Japanese media as "the perennial winners", despite the Antlers only finishing top of the pile once during the last 14 years.
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With former head coach De Zerbi departing to Ligue 1 giants Marseille at the conclusion of the 2023-24 term, Brighton's highly-rated succession planning was put into action during the early part of the summer, with Fabian Hurzeler being identified as the man to take charge on the South Coast.
In typical Seagulls fashion, the 31-year-old arrives in the Premier League as a relatively-inexperienced coach, but the German has enjoyed major success during the elementary stage of his managerial career, guiding St Pauli back to the Bundesliga for the first time since 2011 last season.
Hurzeler is looking to instil positivity into a Brighton side which endured a downturn in fortunes last campaign as they juggled domestic and continental duties for the first time in the club's history, with the Seagulls finishing 11th in the Premier League following a placement of sixth during the previous term.
Unlike summer transfer windows of the past, the South Coast club are yet to lose a first-team superstar during this off-season, with the signings of Mats Wieffer and Yankuba Minteh from Feyenoord and Newcastle United respectively going a long way to excite supporters ahead of the new campaign.
Although walking out at a 67,000-seater stadium in Tokyo will represent a significant change in scenery from their humble past of plucking away in the lower reaches of the English Football League, there should be one member of the Brighton squad who feels right at home on Wednesday, with Japan international Karou Mitoma a footballing icon back in his homeland.
Team News
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Having impressed massively in the J1 League this season, Kashima's 10-goal striker Yuma Suzuki will be relishing the chance to test himself against Premier League opposition.
The Antlers could be without the services of Aleksandar Cavric, who was subbed off after just 11 minutes during the win over FC Tokyo on the weekend.
Such an absence might hand Hayato Nakama an opportunity to start on the right flank, with Shu Morooka set to operate from the left wing.
Despite recent links to Serie A giants Napoli, Billy Gilmour is part of Brighton's squad in Japan and the Scotland international could start on Wednesday.
Amid speculation of a return to his native Germany, Pascal Gross has not travelled as part of Hurzeler's contingent, with the midfielder afforded an extended break following his Euro 2024 exploits.
Kashima Antlers possible starting lineup:
Hayakawa; Nono, Ueda, Sekigawa, Anzai; Chinen, Shibasaki, Nakama, Nago, Morooka; Suzuki
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Lamptey, Julio, Van Hecke, Hinshelwood; Wieffer, Gilmour; Barco, Adingra, Mitoma; Welbeck
We say: Kashima Antlers 2-3 Brighton & Hove Albion
In the midst of a J1 League title race, Kashima will be sharp and excited to pit their wits against Premier League visitors on Wednesday.
Brighton are at the beginning of their summer itinerary, but we feel that the attacking stars within the Seagulls' ranks should fire them to a narrow win in Tokyo.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
