Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Iwaki Prediction & Betting Tips

Very different league form

Hiroshima's J1 form has been strong: 11 wins from 20, with 37 goals scored against 24 conceded. That's a side comfortably winning more often than not at this level.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima: 20 completed matches; Iwaki: 20 completed matches.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima

20 matches

Win

55% 11 / 20

Draw

15% 3 / 20

Loss

30% 6 / 20

Scored

37

Conceded

24

Difference

+13

Iwaki

20 matches

Win

30% 6 / 20

Draw

15% 3 / 20

Loss

55% 11 / 20

Scored

23

Conceded

29

Difference

-6

Iwaki's J2 form is a lot patchier. Six wins, three draws and 11 defeats from 20 games, with more goals conceded than scored, points to a team struggling for consistency.

The gap in recent output is wide, even allowing for the fact these are different divisions.

Comparative Team Statistics: Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Iwaki

One previous meeting, and it was one-sided

These two met in the Emperor Cup back in July 2024, with Hiroshima winning 4-0 at home. It's the only recorded head-to-head between them.

That result is over two years old now and squads change a lot in that time, so it shouldn't be treated as a guide to how this game will go.

A cup tie between different levels

This is a knockout fixture pitting a J1 club against a J2 side, and Hiroshima's recent form clearly outstrips Iwaki's. On paper that's a big gap in class and results.

Cup games like this can still throw up surprises, especially if the home side treats it as a lower priority than their league campaign. There's nothing in the data here to say how either side will approach team selection.

The form gap favours Hiroshima, but cup matches don't always reward the stronger side on paper.