League-position context
Kashima rank5th
Shonan Bellmare rank18th
Kashima points59
Shonan Bellmare points27
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.
Shonan Bellmare: #18 ยท 27 pts ยท GD -19
38 pts off the top 2. 21 pts off the play-off line. 9 pts from safety.
32-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.