League-position context
Kashiwa Reysol rank13th
Kashima rank5th
Kashiwa Reysol points30
Kashima points48
Kashiwa Reysol: #13 ยท 30 pts ยท GD -12
28 pts off the top 2. 10 pts off the play-off line. 2 pts clear of the relegation zone.
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.
18-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.