League-position context
Nagoya Grampus rank5th
Kashima rank4th
Nagoya Grampus points66
Kashima points69
Nagoya Grampus: #5 ยท 66 pts ยท GD +14
13 pts off the top 2. 13 pts above the play-off edge. 30 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #4 ยท 69 pts ยท GD +26
10 pts off the top 2. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 33 pts clear of the relegation zone.
3-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.