League-position context
Kyoto Sanga rank16th
Kashima rank4th
Kyoto Sanga points36
Kashima points52
Kyoto Sanga: #16 ยท 36 pts ยท GD -8
30 pts off the top 2. 10 pts off the play-off line. 2 pts from safety.
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.
16-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.