League-position context
Shimizu S-pulse rank8th
Sanfrecce Hiroshima rank2nd
Shimizu S-pulse points49
Sanfrecce Hiroshima points57
Shimizu S-pulse: #8 ยท 49 pts ยท GD +8
8 pts off the top 2. 1 pts above the play-off edge. 8 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima: #2 ยท 57 pts ยท GD +12
Currently in the automatic promotion spots. 9 pts above the play-off edge. 16 pts clear of the relegation zone.
8-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.