Liam Duckstein
Two clubs from very different corners of the world meet on July 14 in what shapes up to be an intriguing pre-season encounter. Slaven Belupo, the Croatian side coached by Mario Gregurina, enter this fixture carrying a difficult recent stretch, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima, under Bartosch Gaul, arrive fresh off a 1-5 defeat to Sturm Graz that snapped what had been a strong domestic run. The gap in world club ranking is notable, with Hiroshima ranked considerably higher, and that context alone makes this a match worth watching closely.
One player to keep an eye on for Slaven Belupo is whoever Gregurina deploys as the creative outlet in midfield, as the Croatian side will need someone to dictate tempo if they are to compete. For Hiroshima, the forward line will be the focal point after they demonstrated genuine firepower in their domestic matches, scoring four goals in two separate games against Nagoya Grampus and Kyoto respectively.
Hot stat: Sanfrecce Hiroshima scored four goals in back-to-back matches against Nagoya Grampus and Kyoto during their domestic campaign, showing a capacity for high-output performances that makes them dangerous even in friendly competition.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026, July Phase |
| 🗓️ Date: | 14.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 17:30 CEST |
Slaven Belupo vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima Prediction
Sanfrecce Hiroshima look the stronger side on paper. Their year-to-date win rate of 54% across 24 matches outpaces Slaven Belupo’s 26% from 27 outings considerably. Belupo have won just one of their last three matches, losing the other two, and their form over a longer stretch has been largely inconsistent, with far more losses than wins. Hiroshima’s recent domestic form showed a strong mid-season run of consecutive victories before the Sturm Graz setback, and that Graz loss came against a high-quality Austrian side, so it should not be over-weighted.
We predict a Sanfrecce Hiroshima win. The Japanese side carry more quality and momentum, and a pre-season setting may actually suit their fluid attacking style. Belupo’s defensive record in this tournament shows five goals conceded in three games, which adds further confidence to backing Hiroshima to find the net. To be honest, the 2.80 on Hiroshima at Bovada looks like genuine value given the quality gap between these two clubs.
Belupo tend to be direct and physical, which can generate fouls and set-piece situations but also leaves space in behind. Hiroshima’s attacking players have the pace and technical ability to exploit that. If Belupo commit players forward in search of a goal, the game could open up considerably in the second half. Both teams scoring is a real possibility given Belupo’s ability to grab a goal even in difficult matches, as their 3-1 win over Csikszereda Miercurea Ciuc showed.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Sanfrecce Hiroshima to win and over 2.5 goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Slaven Belupo’s recent record makes for difficult reading. They lost to Debrecen 0-1 in their most recent outing, a result that continued a worrying pattern. Three of their last five matches ended in defeat, and the only standout positive was a 3-1 win over Csikszereda Miercurea Ciuc, a side ranked well outside the top 1,000 globally. Their 2-3 loss to Zalaegerszegi and 0-2 defeat to Osijek, as well as a 1-4 thrashing by Dinamo Zagreb earlier in the window, paint a picture of a team that struggles badly when facing quality opposition. In the tournament standings, they sit on three points from three games with a goal difference of zero, which reflects their inconsistency rather than any genuine solidity.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s most recent match was a 1-5 defeat to Sturm Graz, which is their only result in the last 30 days. That scoreline looks alarming but Sturm Graz are a strong European side currently in excellent pre-season form. Prior to that, Hiroshima were in fine domestic shape, beating Kawasaki Frontale twice in successive fixtures, defeating Nagoya Grampus 4-2, and putting four past Kyoto without reply. That run of four wins from four before the Graz game demonstrates real attacking confidence. Coach Bartosch Gaul will look to restore that momentum here against lower-ranked opposition.
🚨Check out our dedicated Slaven Belupo vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Slaven Belupo the Home Favourite
- Moneyline Slaven Belupo 2.10 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2.80
- Draw 3.60
The odds at Bovada make Slaven Belupo the marginal favourite at 2.10, which is perhaps a reflection of home advantage or the pre-season context rather than a genuine assessment of quality. Hiroshima at 2.80 represents better value when you consider their superior world ranking, stronger annual win rate, and recent domestic form. The draw at 3.60 is fair but we would not chase it given the gap in class. We predict Hiroshima’s price will tighten as the match approaches, making 2.80 the pick to take now.
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Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
TipsGG Match Prediction
Sanfrecce Hiroshima are the stronger side by a clear margin and we back them to win this match. Slaven Belupo have been inconsistent throughout 2026, losing more than they win, and their defence has shown it can be breached regularly. Hiroshima’s attacking players have been scoring freely in domestic competition, and even with the Sturm Graz loss fresh in the memory, they face far less demanding opposition here.
We predict Hiroshima to win with both teams scoring, which aligns with Belupo’s ability to nick a goal while still conceding multiple times against quality sides. Over 2.5 total goals looks the most straightforward angle given the attacking intent both coaches tend to show in pre-season. The hot tip of Hiroshima to win and over 2.5 goals offers the best combination of value and probability from what the data shows.
