League-position context
Vissel Kobe rank12th
Kashima rank1st
Vissel Kobe points20
Kashima points39
Vissel Kobe: #12 ยท 20 pts ยท GD -2
18 pts off the top 2. 3 pts off the play-off line. 3 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #1 ยท 39 pts ยท GD +19
Currently in the automatic promotion spots. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 22 pts clear of the relegation zone.
19-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.