Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Johor Darul Takzim FC Prediction

Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Johor Darul Takzim FC prediction

Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Johor Darul Takzim FC prediction time: the AFC Champions League Elite (East) brings Matchday 7 to the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, with kickoff set for 10:00 GMT (19:00 local). With knockout positioning on the line, this one has the feel of a game where patience, not panic, should decide the night.

Match context, form, and the “new boss” factor

Hiroshima come in sitting third in the East standings, and they look comfortable in their own rhythm. Their 3-1 win over V-Varen Nagasaki on February 6 did not just add points—it underlined a nice balance between control and punch, with Shuto Nakano, Akito Suzuki, and Hayao Kawabe all getting on the scoresheet. That kind of spread scoring is usually a good sign in continental matches, where one marked striker can’t be your whole plan.

There is also a fresh voice on the touchline. Bartosz Gaul took charge on January 1, 2026 after Michael Skibbe’s move to Vissel Kobe, and this is a notable early continental exam. The club will be keen to keep everything tidy off the pitch too, especially after the 2025 administrative headache involving Valère Germain—an episode nobody in Hiroshima wants to relive.

How both teams may try to win it

Gaul’s Hiroshima are expected to stay possession-first and high-tempo, using width and timing rather than forcing hero passes. The idea is simple: move the ball quickly, stretch the block with wing-back involvement (Shunki Higashi is a good example of that profile), and then pick the moment to accelerate. Behind it, the structure tends to stay compact, inviting opponents to overreach before a fast, precise counter appears.

Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), under Xisco Muñoz, are a different puzzle. They’ve been excellent domestically and in regional competition, and Xisco has spoken about tactical discipline versus teams that can flip transitions quickly—exactly the kind of warning label Hiroshima carry. JDT’s attack can be direct and physically strong, with Bergson Da Silva as the finisher, Arif Aiman Hanapi supplying pace and invention, and Samu Castillejo adding a bit of European craft in the final third. Dion Cools, meanwhile, often becomes the connector in transition moments.

• Head to head: no previous competitive meeting, so the “data” angle is limited and the tactical feel matters more.
• Fitness and rotation: JDT’s travel and schedule (including a recent Vietnam trip) could test legs late on.
• Team news: Hiroshima defender Toma Kuroda has had a minor leg issue but is expected to be available; JDT report no major injuries.

Our AI picks, betting odds, and what the numbers suggest

The market leans Hiroshima, and it’s not shy about it: home win 1.7, draw 3.85, away win 5.1. Our model agrees with that direction. The best tip is 1 (home win) with a trust rating of 6.3/10 at 1.7, and the 1x2 prediction also lands on 1 with 6.4 confidence at 1.7. In other words, the odds and the performance indicators are pointing the same way.

Those indicators hint at a game script where Hiroshima do most of the steering: projected possession is 70% to 30%, with shots forecast at 17–9. Interestingly, on-target shots are closer (4–3), which fits the idea that JDT may not shoot often, but when they do, it can be dangerous—especially with Bergson leading the line.

For total goals, our AI likes over 1.5 goals as the stronger goals-market angle (confidence 3.3, odds 1.28). The expected scoreline supports that: 2-1 full time, with a 1-0 half-time lean. Corners are projected high at 12 total (7–5), which also matches a Hiroshima-wide, pressure-based approach. Cards are forecast at 0 for Hiroshima and 3 for JDT, a small nod to the away side doing more chasing than dictating.

Final word

Putting it all together, the Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Johor Darul Takzim FC prediction reads like a home-controlled match with moments of danger from JDT. Hiroshima’s higher squad value (€20.90m vs €13.90m) and expected dominance in possession should tell over time, even if JDT have shown they can scrap big results—like that surprising 2-2 away draw at Shanghai SIPG back in 2024. Our call stays with Hiroshima to edge it, 2-1.