League-position context
Cerezo Osaka rank7th
Kashima rank5th
Cerezo Osaka points44
Kashima points48
Cerezo Osaka: #7 ยท 44 pts ยท GD +2
14 pts off the top 2. 5 pts above the play-off edge. 16 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.
4-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.