League-position context
Yokohama F. Marinos rank2nd
Kashima rank4th
Yokohama F. Marinos points79
Kashima points69
Yokohama F. Marinos: #2 ยท 79 pts ยท GD +47
Currently in the automatic promotion spots. 26 pts above the play-off edge. 43 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #4 ยท 69 pts ยท GD +26
10 pts off the top 2. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 33 pts clear of the relegation zone.
10-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.