League-position context
Ventforet Kofu rank16th
Kashima rank2nd
Ventforet Kofu points32
Kashima points72
Ventforet Kofu: #16 ยท 32 pts ยท GD -16
40 pts off the top 2. 15 pts off the play-off line. 2 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.
40-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.