League-position context
Cerezo Osaka rank5th
Kashima rank4th
Cerezo Osaka points51
Kashima points52
Cerezo Osaka: #5 ยท 51 pts ยท GD +6
15 pts off the top 2. 6 pts above the play-off edge. 14 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #4 ยท 52 pts ยท GD +5
14 pts off the top 2. 7 pts above the play-off edge. 15 pts clear of the relegation zone.
1-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.