League-position context
Cerezo Osaka rank5th
Kashima rank3rd
Cerezo Osaka points59
Kashima points63
Cerezo Osaka: #5 ยท 59 pts ยท GD +14
5 pts off the top 2. 12 pts above the play-off edge. 23 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #3 ยท 63 pts ยท GD +24
1 pts off the top 2. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 27 pts clear of the relegation zone.
4-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.