League-position context
Kashima rank4th
Consadole Sapporo rank10th
Kashima points69
Consadole Sapporo points51
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.
Consadole Sapporo: #10 ยท 51 pts ยท GD -2
28 pts off the top 2. 3 pts off the play-off line. 15 pts clear of the relegation zone.
18-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.