League-position context
Shonan Bellmare rank12th
Kashima rank4th
Shonan Bellmare points41
Kashima points52
Shonan Bellmare: #12 ยท 41 pts ยท GD -8
25 pts off the top 2. 5 pts off the play-off line. 4 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.
11-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.