TOKYO (Interstat) — Two of Japan’s hottest clubs, Vissel Kobe and S’frecce Hiroshima, will put their perfect Emperor Cup records on the line Sunday in a highly anticipated domestic showdown.

The match at Kobe’s Noevir Stadium pits two teams in formidable form. Vissel Kobe enters the contest with a 7-0-0 record in this season’s Emperor Cup, while Hiroshima is a perfect 4-0-0 in the competition. Across all tournaments in 2025, Kobe boasts 36 wins, 17 losses and 13 draws, slightly edging Hiroshima’s 30-17-18 record.

Recent history, however, favors the hosts. The two sides have met twice this season, with Vissel Kobe securing 1-0 victories in both encounters on July 2 and Aug. 20.

Hiroshima arrives with momentum from a commanding 3-0 victory over the Urawa Reds on Nov. 8. Vissel Kobe is coming off a 1-1 draw with Gamba Osaka on Nov. 9, a result that snapped a more consistent run of form compared to Hiroshima’s recent mixed results.

According to the Interstat game simulator, the closely matched contest is projected to end in a 1-1 draw, suggesting a tightly-fought battle that could require extra time or penalties to decide.

The winner will advance in Japan’s premier knockout football tournament, continuing the pursuit of the coveted Emperor Cup trophy.