Yokohama FC will continue their fight to escape relegation when they welcome Kawasaki Frontale to the NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium on Saturday. While the hosts sit just above the drop zone, Kawasaki are pushing for a top-four finish in the second half of the campaign.
Yokohama FC Still in Survival Mode
Founded by fans of the defunct Yokohama Flugels in 1999, Yokohama FC became Japan’s first supporter-owned professional sports club. Although their journey to the J1 League has been inspirational, their tenure in the top tier has been far from stable.
After earning their J1 debut in 2007 and suffering immediate relegation, the club has experienced a cycle of promotion and relegation nearly every other season. They dropped out of the top flight in 2021, returned in 2022, went back down in 2023, and earned promotion again in 2024.
Now under the guidance of Shuhei Yomoda, the objective is clear: remain in the top division. With 19 points from 19 games, Yokohama FC are just above the relegation zone on goal difference, having played a game more than the teams below.
Despite their precarious position, recent results offer a glimmer of hope. They have claimed four wins in their last eight matches across all competitions, including a memorable 4-0 win over Cerezo Osaka that overturned a 4-1 first-leg deficit in the League Cup. That stunning result could serve as a turning point as they prepare to face one of the league’s most consistent sides.
Kawasaki Building Momentum
Kawasaki Frontale, by contrast, have been one of the league’s most successful clubs in recent years, lifting four J1 League titles between 2017 and 2021. Although they’ve fallen off that dominant pace in recent seasons, finishing eighth in both 2023 and 2024, the foundations remain strong.
This season, Shigetoshi Hasebe’s men have been tough to beat, losing only three times in 18 matches. With 29 points, they occupy seventh place in the standings but trail fourth-placed Kashima Antlers by just five points — and they have games in hand on several rivals above them.
The visitors are unbeaten in six of their last seven league outings, showing the kind of form that could propel them back into contention for continental qualification. Historically, they’ve had the upper hand against Yokohama FC, winning six of their last eight encounters and losing only once.
Form Guide
Yokohama FC’s recent form paints a mixed picture. They have earned important wins over Cerezo Osaka and Avispa Fukuoka, while also suffering defeats against the likes of Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Gamba Osaka. A 1-1 draw with Albirex Niigata earlier this month showed resilience, but inconsistency continues to hamper their progress.
Across all competitions, they’ve managed four wins in their last eight matches. While that stretch includes heavy losses, their ability to bounce back in the League Cup proves they are still fighting for survival with determination.
Kawasaki Frontale have hit a solid patch in recent weeks. They picked up wins over Kyoto Sanga, Sagan Tosu, and Gamba Osaka, while also drawing with Kashiwa Reysol and Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Their only defeat in the last seven came against Yokohama F Marinos, a narrow loss that didn’t derail their momentum.
In all competitions, they’ve gone unbeaten in seven straight games, suggesting the team is building confidence and rhythm at a crucial point in the season.
Team News
Yokohama FC could stick with the same starting XI that dispatched Cerezo Osaka in their League Cup win. Defender Akito Fukumori impressed with three assists from the back and should keep his place alongside Boniface Nduka and Kosuke Yamazaki.
Up front, Lukian remains the club’s top scorer but has missed their last two outings. Kaito Mori, who started in the cup win, could be given his first league start of the season.
Kawasaki are expected to maintain the bulk of the side that extended their unbeaten run last week. Erison, the team’s top scorer, remains sidelined through injury, so Shin Yamada is set to continue leading the line.
Veterans like Akihiro Ienaga and Yasuto Wakizaka are expected to provide creativity from midfield, while a back four of Miura, Maruyama, Takai, and Sasaki offers stability.
Predicted Lineups
Yokohama FC:
Ichikawa; Yamazaki, Nduka, Fukumori; J Suzuki, Lara, Kumakura, Shimbo; Komai, M Suzuki; Mori
Kawasaki Frontale:
Yamaguchi; Miura, Maruyama, Takai, Sasaki; Yamamoto, Kawahara; Ienaga, Wakizaka, Marcinho; Yamada
Kickoff:
Saturday, June 15 | 11:00 WAT | NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium
Prediction: Yokohama FC 1-2 Kawasaki Frontale
Yokohama FC have shown some signs of improvement recently, especially in cup competition, but Kawasaki Frontale are playing with greater consistency and quality. Given their strong form and superior record in this fixture, the visitors should have enough to take all three points.