League-position context
Omiya Ardija rank18th
Kashima rank2nd
Omiya Ardija points25
Kashima points72
Omiya Ardija: #18 ยท 25 pts ยท GD -32
47 pts off the top 2. 22 pts off the play-off line. 9 pts from safety.
Kashima: #2 ยท 72 pts ยท GD +22
Currently in the automatic promotion spots. 28 pts above the play-off edge. 39 pts clear of the relegation zone.
47-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.