League-position context
Cerezo Osaka rank12th
Kashima rank4th
Cerezo Osaka points48
Kashima points69
Cerezo Osaka: #12 ยท 48 pts ยท GD -4
31 pts off the top 2. 6 pts off the play-off line. 12 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #4 ยท 69 pts ยท GD +26
10 pts off the top 2. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 33 pts clear of the relegation zone.
21-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.