League-position context
Sanfrecce Hiroshima rank3rd
Kashima rank4th
Sanfrecce Hiroshima points55
Kashima points52
Sanfrecce Hiroshima: #3 ยท 55 pts ยท GD +11
11 pts off the top 2. 10 pts above the play-off edge. 18 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.
3-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.