League-position context
Kashima rank5th
Nagoya Grampus rank6th
Kashima points48
Nagoya Grampus points46
Kashima: #5 ยท 48 pts ยท GD +11
10 pts off the top 2. 9 pts above the play-off edge. 20 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Nagoya Grampus: #6 ยท 46 pts ยท GD +5
12 pts off the top 2. 7 pts above the play-off edge. 18 pts clear of the relegation zone.
2-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.