League-position context
Vegalta Sendai rank16th
Sanfrecce Hiroshima rank1st
Vegalta Sendai points12
Sanfrecce Hiroshima points40
Vegalta Sendai: #16 ยท 12 pts ยท GD -11
25 pts off the top 2. 15 pts off the play-off line. 5 pts from safety.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima: #1 ยท 40 pts ยท GD +30
Currently in the automatic promotion spots. 14 pts above the play-off edge. 27 pts clear of the relegation zone.
28-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.