Prediction: Japan vs Spain

Verdict: Spain win & Below 4.5 targets

Finest Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

With all of it nonetheless to play for in Group E on Thursday evening, Spain will look to complete off the job once they meet Japan in Doha.

Japan

Beginning with Japan, whereas Hajime Moriyasu’s males may need opened their World Cup journey with a well-known 2-1 victory towards European giants Germany final week, the Samurai Blue definitely got here crashing again right down to earth over the weekend. Regardless of dominating massive spells of their assembly towards Costa Rica, they had been ultimately hit with a sluggish 1-0 loss and can know that they missed out on a golden likelihood. Nevertheless, whereas Japan may open Thursday’s assembly sat second within the Group E standings and with their sights set on punching their knockout stage ticket, Moriyasu’s aspect will know that they face a tricky take a look at right here. It also needs to be famous, signing off their pre-World Cup preparations with a 2-1 loss by the hands of fellow finalists Canada, the Blues have picked up only a single victory from any of their final 4 appearances throughout all codecs.

Crew Information

Placing in a toothless show final week of their 1-0 loss towards Costa Rica, Moriyasu could possibly be tempted to make a handful of adjustments on Thursday evening.

Former Liverpool ahead Takumi Minamino will probably be hoping to make his first full World Cup look in Doha. Likewise, Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu might additionally come into Moriyasu’s defence after lacking out towards Costa Rica.

Spain

As for Spain, whereas La Roja may need been left annoyed after throwing away their late lead towards Germany final weekend, Luis Enrique’s males ought to discover the temper of their camp at a continued excessive. Regardless of ultimately enjoying out a 1-1 draw towards their fellow European heavyweights, the one-time Barcelona boss finds his aspect sat firmly in pole place to punch their knockout stage ticket. Opening this yr’s World Cup with an actual assertion as they cruised their technique to a 7-0 romp towards Costa Rica, the previous world champions will merely be seeking to end off the job right here. Persevering with on what has been an actual youthful resurge over latest instances, Enrique’s children have gained loads of plaudits. Together with securing their spot within the semi-finals of this yr’s Nations League throughout September’s worldwide break, Spain have misplaced simply considered one of their earlier 13 appearances throughout all competitions.

Crew Information

Coming off the bench towards Germany final weekend and now bagging back-to-back World Cup strikes, Alvaro Morata will probably be hoping for a full recall on Thursday evening. The Atletico Madrid striker might are available in and substitute Marco Asensio.

Manchester Metropolis’s Rodri ought to as soon as once more accomplice teammate Aymeric Laporte on the coronary heart of La Roja’s defence right here.

Key Components to Think about

The one earlier assembly between Spain and Japan got here again in 2001 as La Roja picked up a 1-0 victory in a pleasant contest.
Spain have misplaced simply considered one of their earlier 13 appearances throughout all competitions.
Struggling a 1-0 loss by the hands of Costa Rica final weekend, Japan have recorded only a single win from any of their final 4 matchups throughout all codecs.
Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata has now bagged back-to-back Group E strikes.
Likewise, the Samurai Blue have recorded only a pair of victories from any of their earlier 10 World Cup appearances.

Conclusion

Whereas Spain may nonetheless have some work to do on Thursday evening, the previous world champions will merely be seeking to keep away from an actual banana pores and skin in Doha. Struggling only a single defeat from any of their 13 appearances throughout all competitions, La Roja have impressed many over the previous fortnight. Watching Japan come crashing again right down to earth final weekend as they had been hit with a shock 1-0 loss by the hands of Costa Rica, the Samurai Blue will know that they face a tricky activity right here. Though Moriyasu’s males may nonetheless be seeking to punch their very own knockout stage ticket, we’re backing a reasonably easy evening for Spain.