League-position context
Kashima rank5th
Sanfrecce Hiroshima rank8th
Kashima points59
Sanfrecce Hiroshima points48
Kashima: #5 ยท 59 pts ยท GD +11
6 pts off the top 2. 12 pts above the play-off edge. 26 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima: #8 ยท 48 pts ยท GD +9
17 pts off the top 2. 1 pts above the play-off edge. 15 pts clear of the relegation zone.
11-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.