Kawasaki Frontale vs JEF United Chiba — J1 League

**Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 JEF United Chiba**

**What set this match apart:** A fairly ordinary match with a few distinctive traits (53% of matches were more unusual than this one). The most striking feature was the territorial control, as both teams completed a massive volume of passes in the opponent's half (Kawasaki Frontale 229, JEF United Chiba 181; 410 in total, 97th percentile of the two teams' joint volume). While they were both active in the final third, JEF United Chiba was more successful at penetrating the box, recording 10 shots inside the area compared to Kawasaki Frontale's 6 (82nd percentile of gaps).

**How it played out:** JEF United Chiba relied on a patient build-up from the back, completing 241 passes in their own half to Kawasaki Frontale's 128 (89th percentile of gaps). Despite this, both sides were equally active in creating direct threats, recording 11 shots on target in total (88th percentile of joint volume). There were few big chances in the match, but Kawasaki Frontale was clearly ahead with 2 to JEF United Chiba's 0 (70th percentile of gaps). Defensively, Kawasaki Frontale was more active in cutting passing lanes, recording 8 interceptions to JEF United Chiba's 3 (86th percentile of gaps, in a match with few interceptions overall, 11 in total). Both sides faced significant pressure, evidenced by 43 clearances in total (72nd percentile of joint volume), with Kawasaki Frontale making 25 to JEF United Chiba's 18 (77th percentile of gaps). In physical contests, Kawasaki Frontale won more ground duels, 27 to 22 (73rd percentile of gaps, in a match with few ground duels won overall, 49 in total). Finally, there were few successful dribbles in the match, but JEF United Chiba was clearly ahead with 5 to Kawasaki Frontale's 3 (66th percentile of gaps).

**Verdict:** The fair probabilities are Kawasaki Frontale win 50%, draw 32%, and JEF United Chiba win 18%. The performances pointed to a Kawasaki Frontale win (50%), and that is what happened. This was supported by Kawasaki Frontale creating 2 big chances to JEF United Chiba's 0.