League-position context
Kashima rank1st
Kashiwa Reysol rank7th
Kashima points39
Kashiwa Reysol points24
Kashima: #1 ยท 39 pts ยท GD +19
Currently in the automatic promotion spots. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 22 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashiwa Reysol: #7 ยท 24 pts ยท GD -1
14 pts off the top 2. 1 pts above the play-off edge. 7 pts clear of the relegation zone.
15-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.