League-position context
Kashima rank3rd
Cerezo Osaka rank7th
Kashima points56
Cerezo Osaka points50
Kashima: #3 ยท 56 pts ยท GD +11
1 pts off the top 2. 8 pts above the play-off edge. 15 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Cerezo Osaka: #7 ยท 50 pts ยท GD +1
7 pts off the top 2. 2 pts above the play-off edge. 9 pts clear of the relegation zone.
6-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.