Kyoto Sanga vs Shimizu S-pulse — form, head-to-head and match prediction
Our model makes Kyoto Sanga the pick at 50% for Kyoto Sanga vs Shimizu S-pulse. Form trajectory, comparison data, head-to-head and the reasoning behind the call.
Match summary
Kyoto Sanga face Shimizu S-pulse on 31 October 2026 at Sanga Stadium by Kyocera, Kyoto. Kyoto Sanga are the model's favourite, with a win probability of roughly 50%. This matchday 13 fixture in J1 League is listed as Kyoto Sanga - Shimizu S-pulse. Kick-off is 05:00 UTC.
Form analysis and trajectory
Kyoto Sanga: they come in on the back of a win, following one win, two draws and one defeat before that. That is two wins, two draws and one defeat from the last five, worth 8 points. It leaves them unbeaten in three. Their 2027-season record in our dataset (6 scored and 13 conceded in six matches, 1.0 and 2.17 per game) points to a fairly even balance between the two ends of the pitch. That is reflected in a form rating of 39.7 out of 100, and they sit 16th on a goal difference of -8.
Shimizu S-pulse: they come in on back-to-back defeats, following one win, one draw and one defeat before that. That is one win, one draw and three defeats from the last five, worth 4 points. It leaves them winless in four. Their 2027-season record in our dataset (6 scored and 10 conceded in six matches, 1.0 and 1.67 per game) points to a fairly even balance between the two ends of the pitch. That is reflected in a form rating of 45.8 out of 100, and they sit 13th on a goal difference of -10.
Side by side
| Statistic | Kyoto Sanga | Shimizu S-pulse |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 16th | 13th |
| Goal difference | -8 | -10 |
| Form (last 5, most recent first) | WDDLW | LLDLW |
| Points from last 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Goals scored / conceded (last 5) | 10 / 9 | 5 / 14 |
| Clean sheets (last 5) | 1 | 0 |
| Matches in our dataset (2027 season) | 6 | 6 |
| Goals per game, scored / conceded (2027) | 1.0 / 2.17 | 1.0 / 1.67 |
| Points per game (2027) | 0.33 | 1.33 |
| Form rating (0-100) | 39.7 | 45.8 |
| Players unavailable | 0 | 0 |
| Model win probability | 50% | 28% |
| Head-to-head wins (last 2) | 0 | 1 |
What stands out
- Head-to-head balance (last 2): Kyoto Sanga none wins, Shimizu S-pulse one win, one draw — a historically tight match-up.
- Most recent meeting: Kyoto Sanga 1-2 Shimizu S-pulse on 02 May 2026.
- Head-to-head goals: 2.5 per game across those meetings, with both teams scoring in all of them — broadly an average game for goals.
- Pre-match form ratings: Kyoto Sanga 39.7 versus Shimizu S-pulse 45.8, a gap of 6.2, which cuts against the model's favourite and is the tension in this one.
- Availability: No absentees listed for either side in our injury feed at the time of writing.
- Goals outlook: A combined scoring line of 2.80, over 2.5 goals at 57% and both teams to score at 55%.
- First goal: Leans Kyoto Sanga's way at 54%.
The call
The model tilts to Kyoto Sanga at 50%, without enough room to treat it as a formality. Kyoto Sanga's form line and home advantage back it and the goals line points to over 2.5 goals. Baseline expectation tilts Kyoto Sanga's way, especially at Sanga Stadium by Kyocera.
Everything here is model output and a reading of the form rather than a guarantee — the probabilities are published in full so the reasoning behind the call is visible.
Frequently asked questions
Who is favoured to win the match: Kyoto Sanga or Shimizu S-pulse?
Kyoto Sanga, with an implied win probability of roughly 50%. The full split is 50% Kyoto Sanga, 22% the draw and 28% Shimizu S-pulse.
When and where is Kyoto Sanga vs Shimizu S-pulse being played?
31 October 2026 at Sanga Stadium by Kyocera, Kyoto, kick-off 05:00 UTC.
What was the result of the last match between Kyoto Sanga and Shimizu S-pulse?
Kyoto Sanga 1-2 Shimizu S-pulse on 02 May 2026.
What is the recent form of Kyoto Sanga and Shimizu S-pulse?
Kyoto Sanga have taken 8 points from their last five (WDDLW), Shimizu S-pulse 4 from theirs (LLDLW). Most recently Kyoto Sanga took a 5-2 win at home to Newcastle Jets and Shimizu S-pulse a 0-4 defeat away at Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
How many goals are expected in Kyoto Sanga vs Shimizu S-pulse?
The model's combined scoring line is 2.80 — 1.80 for Kyoto Sanga and 1.00 for Shimizu S-pulse. It rates over 2.5 goals at 57%.
Will both teams score?
The model rates both teams to score at 55%, so its call is yes.