League-position context
Kashiwa Reysol rank7th
Kashima rank4th
Kashiwa Reysol points47
Kashima points52
Kashiwa Reysol: #7 ยท 47 pts ยท GD -1
19 pts off the top 2. 2 pts above the play-off edge. 10 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #4 ยท 52 pts ยท GD +5
14 pts off the top 2. 7 pts above the play-off edge. 15 pts clear of the relegation zone.
5-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.