League-position context
Nagoya Grampus rank14th
Kashima rank1st
Nagoya Grampus points17
Kashima points39
Nagoya Grampus: #14 ยท 17 pts ยท GD -5
21 pts off the top 2. 6 pts off the play-off line. 0 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #1 ยท 39 pts ยท GD +19
Currently in the automatic promotion spots. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 22 pts clear of the relegation zone.
22-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.