League-position context
Albirex Niigata rank11th
Kashima rank5th
Albirex Niigata points36
Kashima points48
Albirex Niigata: #11 ยท 36 pts ยท GD -7
22 pts off the top 2. 4 pts off the play-off line. 8 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #5 ยท 48 pts ยท GD +11
10 pts off the top 2. 9 pts above the play-off edge. 20 pts clear of the relegation zone.
12-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.