Sunday , 16 August 2026

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Cerezo Osaka FC, J. League 2026 REGULAR SEASON

J. League · 2026
Shimizu S-Pulse
6 – 4
5 – 3 pen
Full Time
Cerezo Osaka FC
Wed 6 May 2026 · 04:00 UTC IAI Stadium Nihondaira 14,668 HT 45' · FT 45'
0–1 19' Shunta Tanaka
Matheus Bueno pen 90' 1–1
Y 88' Shinnosuke Hatanaka
Ahmed Ahmedov 90' Y

Overview

Match Preview

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Cerezo Osaka FC — J. League at IAI Stadium Nihondaira.

Match Details

  • Referee
  • Assistant 1 Kohei Ando (Japan)
  • Assistant 2

Standings

# Team P Pts
1 Vissel Kobe 18 35
2 Cerezo Osaka FC 18 31
3 Nagoya Grampus 18 31
4 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 18 30
5 Gamba Osaka 18 28
6 Fagiano Okayama FC 18 26
7 Shimizu S-Pulse 18 24
8 Kyoto Sanga FC 18 23
9 V-Varen Nagasaki 18 21
10 Avispa Fukuoka 18 21
11 Kashima Antlers 18 45
12 FC Tokyo 18 37
13 FC Machida Zelvia 18 37
14 Kawasaki Frontale 18 28
15 Tokyo Verdy 18 28
16 Urawa Red Diamonds 18 25
17 Kashiwa Reysol 18 20
18 Yokohama F.Marinos 18 20
19 FC Mito Holly Hock 18 18
20 JEF United Ichihara Chiba 18 12

Head-to-Head

5
3
9
Shimizu S-Pulse 17 games · Avg 3.4 goals Cerezo Osaka FC
Last 5 meetings
2026-05-06 Shimizu S-Pulse 6–4 Cerezo Osaka FC 2026-03-07 Cerezo Osaka FC 0–0 Shimizu S-Pulse 2025-11-09 Shimizu S-Pulse 1–4 Cerezo Osaka FC 2025-06-01 Cerezo Osaka FC 4–2 Shimizu S-Pulse 2022-06-26 Cerezo Osaka FC 1–1 Shimizu S-Pulse

Recent Form

Shimizu S-Pulse
DateOpponentH/A ScoreResult
06 May Cerezo Osaka FC H 6–4 W
02 May Kyoto Sanga FC A 2–1 W
29 Apr V-Varen Nagasaki H 1–2 L
25 Apr Nagoya Grampus H 0–2 L
11 Apr Sanfrecce Hiroshima A 5–6 L
05 Apr V-Varen Nagasaki A 3–0 W
Cerezo Osaka FC
DateOpponentH/A ScoreResult
06 May Shimizu S-Pulse A 4–6 L
03 May Avispa Fukuoka H 2–2 D
29 Apr Vissel Kobe A 0–0 D
25 Apr Sanfrecce Hiroshima A 1–2 L
18 Apr Kyoto Sanga FC H 3–0 W
11 Apr Gamba Osaka A 1–0 W

Season Stats

Shimizu S-Pulse Cerezo Osaka FC
#7 Position #2
24 Points 31
18 Played 18
8 / 0 / 10 W / D / L 11 / 0 / 7
40 Scored 48
42 Conceded 38
-2 GD +10
1.33 PPG 1.72
44% Win % 61%

Key Stats

65% Both Teams to Score
H2H (17 games)
59% Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
0% Clean Sheets
Shimizu S-Pulse this season
0% Clean Sheets
Cerezo Osaka FC this season

Shimizu S-Pulse are 7th (24 pts). Cerezo Osaka FC are 2nd (31 pts).

Goal Timing (This Season)

Events

Match Events

  • 0' We are underway at IAI Stadium Nihondaira. The crowd does wile while the referee lows the starting whistle.
  • 5' We are waiting for someone to take the initiative. Who will be the first to commit to attack?
  • 10' The teams are not in a rush to score plenty of goals. It might look strange considering Cerezo Osaka FC that had 369 games and scored 396 goals.
  • 15' The energy levels are beginning to show. Arthur Papas might look to freshen things up shortly.
  • 19' The Japan Shunta Tanaka breaks the deadlock on 19 minutes. 0-1!
  • 24' While players are taking a pause, let’s have a look at their stats. The teams met 2 times this season with Shimizu S-Pulse winning 50% of all matches.
  • 29' The travelling Cerezo Osaka FC supporters hardly appreciate their team being pressed down to the backline.
  • 34' Not even hints on scoring a goal over the last 34 minutes.
  • 39' Shimizu S-Pulse are happy to let the opposition have the ball in their own half. The trap is set.
  • 44' It’s high time Arthur Papas made some changes to put the his team’s game back to action.
  • 49' A quiet spell here at IAI Stadium Nihondaira. Shimizu S-Pulse seem content sitting deep and soaking up pressure.
  • 54' With 0 assists to his name this season, Toshiki Takahashi is clearly more than just a goal scorer for Shimizu S-Pulse.
  • 59' named a 4-3-3 earlier, and opted for a 4-2-3-1 in response. A fascinating tactical duel is developing.
  • 64' Cerezo Osaka FC fans have not had much to celebrate tonight. Their side is struggling to get forward.
  • 69' Shimizu S-Pulse is defending very well tonight not leaving a chance for their rivals to get through for a goal.
  • 74' Players seem to put ease on their energy level Spectators hardly appreciate such approach. Teams need to speed up the tempo.
  • 79' It is a cagey affair so far. Shimizu S-Pulse in their 4-3-3 trying to find a way past Cerezo Osaka FC's compact 4-2-3-1.
  • 84' Neither side is committing men forward. This has all the hallmarks of a tense, tactical contest.
  • 88' The referee has no hesitation. Shinnosuke Hatanaka is booked for Cerezo Osaka FC — card on 88.
  • 90' A goal from the Brazil international Matheus Bueno! He fires home on 90 to make it 1-1!
  • 90' Shimizu S-Pulse player sees a card in front of him.
  • It finishes all square. Shimizu S-Pulse and Cerezo Osaka FC share the spoils 6-4.

Lineups

Shimizu S-Pulse Lineups

4-3-3

Starting XI

Bench

Coach Takayuki Yoshida

Cerezo Osaka FC Lineups

4-2-3-1

Starting XI

Bench

Coach Arthur Papas

H2H

H2H Top Scorers

PlayerGoals
Rafael Ratao 3
Hiroshi Kiyotake 2
Koya Kitagawa 2
Crislan 2
Hiroaki Okuno 2
Satoki Uejo 2
Crislan 2
Souza 1

Head to Head

2026-05-06 Shimizu S-Pulse 6–4 Cerezo Osaka FC 2026-03-07 Cerezo Osaka FC 0–0 Shimizu S-Pulse 2025-11-09 Shimizu S-Pulse 1–4 Cerezo Osaka FC 2025-06-01 Cerezo Osaka FC 4–2 Shimizu S-Pulse 2022-06-26 Cerezo Osaka FC 1–1 Shimizu S-Pulse

Shimizu S-Pulse Form

2026-05-06 Shimizu S-Pulse 6–4 Cerezo Osaka FC W 2026-05-02 Kyoto Sanga FC 1–2 Shimizu S-Pulse W 2026-04-29 Shimizu S-Pulse 1–2 V-Varen Nagasaki L 2026-04-25 Shimizu S-Pulse 0–2 Nagoya Grampus L 2026-04-11 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 6–5 Shimizu S-Pulse L 2026-04-05 V-Varen Nagasaki 0–3 Shimizu S-Pulse W

Cerezo Osaka FC Form

2026-05-06 Shimizu S-Pulse 6–4 Cerezo Osaka FC L 2026-05-03 Cerezo Osaka FC 2–2 Avispa Fukuoka D 2026-04-29 Vissel Kobe 0–0 Cerezo Osaka FC D 2026-04-25 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2–1 Cerezo Osaka FC L 2026-04-18 Cerezo Osaka FC 3–0 Kyoto Sanga FC W 2026-04-11 Gamba Osaka 0–1 Cerezo Osaka FC W

Predictions

Prediction accuracy
4 / 4
2.5 Shimizu S-Pulse xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
2.63 Cerezo Osaka FC xG
I would bet for: Over 2.5 goals 87% + Both teams to score 84%

Match Result

✓ Correct
Shimizu S-Pulse42% Draw21% Cerezo Osaka FC37%
Actual: Shimizu S-Pulse win

Both Teams to Score

✓ Correct
Yes84% 0% No16%
Avg goals/match: 5.13
Actual: Yes — both scored

Over / Under Goals

✓ O/U 2.5
Line Over Under
± 0.5 99%
1%
± 1.5 96%
4%
± 2.5 87%
13%
± 3.5 74%
26%
± 4.5 57%
43%

Double Chance

Shimizu S-Pulse or Draw
62%
Draw or Cerezo Osaka FC
58%
Shimizu S-Pulse or Cerezo Osaka FC
79%

Half-Time Result

✓ Correct
Shimizu S-Pulse32% Draw33% Cerezo Osaka FC35%
Actual: Cerezo Osaka FC win at HT

Correct Score

✗ 6–4 not predicted
6 – 4
Actual
2 – 2
6.2%
2 – 3
5.4%
1 – 2
5.2%
3 – 2
5.1%
2 – 1
4.9%
1 – 1
4.5%
3 – 3
4.4%
1 – 3
4.4%
3 – 1
4%
2 – 4
3.5%
4 – 2
3.2%
3 – 4
3%

Asian Handicap — Shimizu S-Pulse

Handicap Shimizu S-Pulse covers Push Cerezo Osaka FC covers
-2.5 12% — 88%
-2 12% 11% 77%
-1.5 23% — 77%
-1 23% 15% 62%
-0.5 38% — 62%
+0.5 57% — 43%
+1 57% 16% 26%
+1.5 74% — 26%
+2 74% 12% 14%
+2.5 86% — 14%

Clean Sheet

Shimizu S-Pulse keeps clean sheet
8% ✓
Cerezo Osaka FC keeps clean sheet
9% ✓

Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.