League-position context
Kashima rank4th
Jubilo Iwata rank18th
Kashima points52
Jubilo Iwata points30
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.
Jubilo Iwata: #18 ยท 30 pts ยท GD -25
36 pts off the top 2. 16 pts off the play-off line. 8 pts from safety.
22-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.