League-position context
Kashiwa Reysol rank5th
Kashima rank11th
Kashiwa Reysol points30
Kashima points20
Kashiwa Reysol: #5 ยท 30 pts ยท GD +9
5 pts off the top 2. 1 pts above the play-off edge. 17 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #11 ยท 20 pts ยท GD +0
15 pts off the top 2. 9 pts off the play-off line. 7 pts clear of the relegation zone.
10-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.