League-position context
Kashima rank3rd
Nagoya Grampus rank15th
Kashima points56
Nagoya Grampus points41
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.
Nagoya Grampus: #15 ยท 41 pts ยท GD -7
16 pts off the top 2. 8 pts off the play-off line. 0 pts from safety.
15-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.