Japan
When Hajime Moriyasu claimed that Japan should be aiming to win the World Cup it’s fair to say there was plenty of raised eyebrows. However his side have started this world cup in fine form and do look genuine dark-horses to at the very least go deep into the tournament.
On Matchday 1 they took on a star studded Netherlands side and picked up a 2-2 draw, many observers believe they deserved more. Twice they fell behind to Virgil Van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville goals but they hit back each time through Keito Nakamura & Daichi Kamada.
On Matchday 2 “Samurai Blue” took on a Tunisia side reeling from an opening day 5-1 loss to Sweden and swept them aside with ease, eventually running out 4-0 winners through goals from Ayase Ueda (2) Junya Ito and a second goal of the Tournament for Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada.
Injuries & Team News
They were dealt a massive blow before the start of the world cup, losing Wataru Endo through injury but the fact he hasn’t really been issed shows what a competent squad The Japanese have.
Takefusa Kubo picked up a knee injury in the opener against Netherlands and he is still struggling with that issue and is considered doubtful to face Sweden in Texas.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 4-0 vs Tunisia | W W W W D W |
Predicted Line-Up
Japan possible starting lineup:
Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Itakura, Ito; Doan, Sano, Tanaka, Nakamura; Ito, Kamada, Ueda
Sweden
Sweden made it to the world cup through the back door of the nations league play-offs but even so optimism was not high back in Scandinavia. They changed coach from Jon Dahl Tomasson to Graham Potter less than two months before the start of the tournament.
The Swedes had an impressive victory on Matchday 1 when they proved far too good for a poor Tunisia side. Yasin Ayari (2) Aleksander Isak, Victor Gyokores & Mattias Svenberg getting on the scoresheet in what proved to be a false dawn.
Confidence was high heading onto Matchday 2 and a meeting with fellow europeans The Netherlands, however they were 2-0 down inside twenty minutes and in truth the 5-1 final score was almost a little flattering to the swedes.
Injuries & Team News
Whilst a 5-1 defeat would suggest issue defensively most pundits are just putting it down to a bad day at the office for the whole team.
If changes are to come then in midfield looks the likeliest option for Graham Potter to alter his side, Lucas Bergvall has been unlucky not to start so far and he could come in to replace Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren, whilst in attack Anthony Elanga is one Swedish player who could hold his head up high following the Dutch massacre.
Both Alexander Isak & Victor Gyokores were nulified against the dutch but Graham Potter will stick with his bold attacking formation and both will start.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-5 vs Netherlands | W W L D W L |
Predicted Line-Up
Sweden possible starting lineup:
Nordfeldt; Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof; Elanga, Bergvall, Karlstrom, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Gyokeres, Isak
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Win | 10/11 – (1.91) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 27/10 – (3.70) | Dream Vegas |
| Sweden Win | 18/5 – (4.60) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Japan 1-1 Sweden
Japan have been impressive in both matches to date whilst Sweden have been very good in one and diabolical in another. These sides look evenly matched and i think we might struggle to get a clear winner.