On Monday, the matches of the 1/8 finals at the World Cup in Qatar will continue, in one of which the Japanese national team will play with the Croatian national team. We bring to your attention the forecast for this duel.
Japan
The Japanese shocked the football community at the group stage, taking first place in Group E. Moreover, they beat the recognized favorites – the national teams of Germany and Spain with the same score 2:1. Between these meetings, the Samurai lost to the Costa Rica national team (0:1), which eventually took the last place in the group. What to expect from the Japanese in the playoffs after such performances is a big mystery.
Croatia
The Croatian national team was expected to come out of Group F from second place, but surprisingly it finished not behind the Belgians, but behind the Moroccans. In the first and third rounds, the Checkers finished their matches with a goalless draw 0:0 – just with the national teams of Morocco and Belgium. Between these peaceful outcomes, the Croats, despite a quick missed goal, defeated the Canadian national team (4:1). At the last World Cup, they reached the final, so now they dream of repeating the former resounding success.
Statistics and figures
- Japan has lost only 2 matches out of the last nine, winning 5 times;
- In three of the last four matches of Japan, the bet was "Both teams will score + Total more than 2.5";
- Japan has won only 2 matches out of the last six at the World Championships, losing three times;
- Japan met Croatia in head-to-head matches three times: +1=1-1, 4:4;
- Croatia has a 9-match unbeaten streak (6 wins + 3 draws);
- In three of the last four matches of Croatia, the bet "Both teams will score + Total more than 2.5" was held;
- Croatia has won only 1 match in regular time out of the last seven at the World Championships, having also lost only once.
Forecasts
Both teams have been swinging for a long time in the matches of this tournament. The Japanese did not score a single goal in the first half. The Croats did not score at all in two matches, and the Canadians were crushed only after conceding a goal. For sure, none of them will take risks in the first round of the playoffs either - the meeting will turn out to be as cautious as possible, in which a single mistake can solve everything. It is more likely that this mistake will be in the second half, when the players begin to overcome physical fatigue.
