League-position context
Kashima rank3rd
Matsumoto Yamaga rank17th
Kashima points63
Matsumoto Yamaga points31
Kashima: #3 ยท 63 pts ยท GD +24
1 pts off the top 2. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 27 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Matsumoto Yamaga: #17 ยท 31 pts ยท GD -19
33 pts off the top 2. 16 pts off the play-off line. 6 pts from safety.
32-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.