World Cup Odds
Many expected Japan to follow up on World Cup Odds their spectacular 2-1 underdog triumph over Germany on matchday one with another three points against Costa Rica in their second match of the tournament.
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That will be incredibly tough to do against a Spain team that just needs a point to advance from Group E and will need another victory to lead the group at the World Cup Odds. With eight goals in two matches, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 2010 champions added to their total today.
World Cup Odds for Japan vs. Spain
Spain is set at -250 to win this match, indicating that the bookies are predicting an easy victory. Japan are worth a bet at +700 for those who want a fairy-tale ending at the World Cup Odds, but Luis Enrique’s side should be much too strong for them here, especially if he changes his lineup to rest key players with qualification all but confirmed.
With depth at his disposal and the knowledge that Japan will almost certainly need to win here to advance, Luis Enrique will have his team well prepared for this last encounter, giving nothing away defensively but being ready to pounce when the chance presents itself at the World Cup Odds.
Spain’s strikers can be dangerous on their day, as seen by their seven-goal performance against Costa Rica on matchday one, and they should make the difference tonight as they attempt to win Group E.
| OKBET | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan win | +700 | 7.39 | 7/1 | 13/2 |
| Draw | +375 | 4.61 | 15/4 | 18/5 |
| Spain win | -250 | 1.37 | 1/3 | 2/5 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +100 / -135 | 1.90 / 1.71 | 10/11, 4/5 | 10/11, 4/5 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | -145 / +105 | 1.71 / 2.07 | 4/6, 11/10 | 4/6, 11/10 |
| Spain -1.5 | +105 | 2.10 | — | — |
| Japan +1.5 | -145 | 1.72 | — | — |
Three things to know about Japan vs. Spain
Team news for Japan vs. Spain
Japan will be missing defender Hiroki Sakai due to injury at the World Cup Odds, but Takefusa Kubo and Ao Tanaka are expected to return to the starting lineup as Hajime Moriyasu’s injury situation improves.
Luis Enrique is poised to rest captain Sergio Busquets, with the Barcelona captain facing a possible ban for the last 16 and Atletico Madrid’s Koke ready to take his place. He might also rotate elsewhere to give other players a well-deserved break, with Alvaro Morata vying for a starting spot after his spectacular goal off the bench against Germany.
Key statistics for Japan vs. Spain
- These two teams have only played once previously, with Spain winning 1-0 in a friendly back in 2001.
- Spain has won eight of their last nine final group-stage matches, with the exception of a 2-2 tie with Morocco in 2018.
- Spain is undefeated in their last seven World Cup appearances, while Japan is attempting to avoid consecutive goalless tournament performances for the first time since 1998.
Match statistics for Japan vs. Spain
- Thursday, December 1st
- Time of kickoff: 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. GMT / 6 a.m. AEDT (Fri, Dec. 2)
- Khalifa International Stadium is the venue.
- Victor Gomes, official (South Africa)
Prediction for Japan vs. Spain
- Spain is the moneyline favorite (-250)
- Spain -1.5 (+105) against the spread
- Japan 1-2 Spain is the predicted score.
- Unfortunately for Japanese football fans, the Asian country is expected to quit the group stage and lose to Spain on the last group-stage matchday.
Japan may just need a draw to advance, but with Germany playing Costa Rica in the other match, Germany will need to win on goal difference if they only get one point. However, with Germany down by one goal going into these final matches, Japan will very certainly need to win here to advance.
Pushing for the victory that they’ll almost certainly need would leave them vulnerable to Spain’s offense at the World Cup Odds, which has been clinical in both of their World Cup matches, scoring the second most goals at the tournament with eight.
