League-position context
Cerezo Osaka rank5th
Shimizu S-pulse rank12th
Cerezo Osaka points59
Shimizu S-pulse points39
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.
Shimizu S-pulse: #12 ยท 39 pts ยท GD -24
25 pts off the top 2. 8 pts off the play-off line. 3 pts clear of the relegation zone.
20-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.