Shimizu S-Pulse — Urawa Red Diamonds : Match Preview and Prediction for September 23,2025

Shimizu S-Pulse: A Team on the Rise

Shimizu S-Pulse is currently in excellent form, having secured two consecutive victories. Their latest triumph, notably against league leaders Kyoto Sanga, speaks volumes about their current capabilities and momentum. A standout player is striker Toshiki Takahashi, who is set to face his former club. He has openly expressed his strong desire to score against Urawa and silence their fans. Takahashi is a pivotal attacking force for Shimizu, having started six consecutive matches, scoring two goals and earning a penalty in their last encounter. His intimate knowledge of Urawa’s defensive weaknesses will undoubtedly serve as a significant advantage for his current team.

Offensive Strategy and Defensive Concerns

Head coach Akiba Tadahiro has made it clear that his team will not be content with a defensive approach. Following their 1-0 victory over Kyoto, he emphasized that a single goal is insufficient, and the team aims to further strengthen its attacking prowess. This indicates a clear intention for Shimizu to play an offensive game. Adding to this tactical approach is a defensive setback: key defender Yuji Takahashi is injured. His absence will undoubtedly weaken their defensive lines and increase the likelihood of conceding goals, which aligns well with our prediction for a high-scoring match.

Urawa Red Diamonds: Navigating Through a Crisis

Urawa Red Diamonds are undeniably experiencing a period of crisis, marked by recent losses in the league. Their most pressing concern lies in the goalkeeping position. Veteran goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa made a critical error against Kashima, directly leading to the sole goal of the match. This is not an isolated incident, as similar mistakes have plagued previous games. Analysts are now speculating about a potential change in goalkeeper, which could introduce further disarray into Urawa’s defensive setup.

Vulnerable Defense and Away Form

The “Red Devils'” defense appears to be crumbling under pressure. Opponents have thoroughly studied their strategy of playing out from the back with short passes and are actively exploiting this vulnerability. Kashima’s goal, for instance, came precisely after high pressing and a miscue during a goal kick distribution. Shimizu’s forward, Toshiki Takahashi, who was part of Urawa’s squad just two months ago, is acutely aware of these weaknesses and will undoubtedly aim to capitalize on them. Furthermore, statistics strongly highlight Urawa’s defensive struggles on the road: in 10 out of their last 11 away matches, three or more goals were scored. This indicates a consistent pattern, not merely a coincidence.