League-position context
Nagoya Grampus rank8th
Kashima rank4th
Nagoya Grampus points46
Kashima points52
Nagoya Grampus: #8 ยท 46 pts ยท GD -5
20 pts off the top 2. 1 pts above the play-off edge. 9 pts clear of the relegation zone.
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.
6-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.