With a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals on the line, heavy favourites Croatia will take on a surprising side from Japan.
Japan have already been full of stunners so far in Qatar, but taking on Croatia will represent a new level of competition. The Croatians made qualification look easy from a tricky Group F, and were especially stout defensively. In the game in which they needed goals, Croatia found them at will against a pedestrian Canadian defense. They enter healthy and focused, likely knowing this is the final chance for this ageing core.
Japan enter the round of 16 on Monday with a wave of confidence behind them. That is what beating world class giants like Spain and Germany will do. They’ll enter without Ko Itakura due to yellow cards, and the Samurai’s are likely to enter with their familiar 3-4-3 formation. Expect a lot of time off the ball, and they’ll revert to a 5-3-2 when defending.
▪️ 2-1 comeback to beat Germany
▪️ 2-1 comeback to beat SpainWHAT A STORY FOR JAPAN 💥 pic.twitter.com/doBEJ9iqdD
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 1, 2022
Croatia and head coach Zlatko Dalic also have no injury concerns, and will likely turn to the lineup that carved Canada wide open. Their midfield remains one of the best in the world, and captain Luka Modric will be the engine that drives their attack forward. They were especially stout at the back during group stage matches, and have to feel confident that Japan doesn’t seem well-equipped to break down the centre of their defense.
Continue reading on beneath the posted odds and betting history, for the latest news, trends, and information to help you make an informed decision when betting on this year’s World Cup. With all that is on the line, this round of 16 Croatia vs. Japan match surely won’t disappoint. Enjoy the game, folks!
Andrej Kramaric’s game by numbers vs. Canada:
100% dribbles completed
87% pass accuracy
42 touches
2/3 ground duels won
3 shots on target
2 goalsGets himself on the scoresheet twice. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/WRYzBIdaEw
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 27, 2022
Japan vs. Croatia Live Odds & Betting History
Betting odds provided by BOVADA
| TEAMS | JAPAN | CROATIA |
| MONEYLINE | +320 | +110 |
| SPREAD | +1 (-230) | -1 (+200) |
| TOTAL | Over 2 (+100) | Under 2 (-120) |
| TEAM DATA | JAPAN | CROATIA |
| Overall Record | 2-0-1 | 1-2-0 |
| Home/Away Record | 1-0-1 | 1-1-0 |
| Expected Goals | 2.05 | 2.39 |
| Expected Goals Allowed | 1.63 | 1.15 |
| Clean Sheets | 20% | 60% |
Japan vs. Croatia Prediction
With dominant players across the pitch, don’t expect the Croatians to be tripped up so early in Qatar. This remains a loaded team, with title aspirations – despite their age. They’ve made it very far before in prestigious international tournaments, and expect their dominant core to realize the magnitude of these games going forward.
🗣 Luka Modrić: "No, I won't leave the national team. I feel very fit, very good and I'll stay here until I can. There's no reason to retire. It's my choice. People say I should leave and focus on club football. I don't agree." 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/7lBUhVC481
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 2, 2022
While the Japanese proved pesky in matches against both Spain and Germany, they won’t catch the Croatians off-guard. Croatia enters well-prepared and focused, as was evident by only allowing one goal across three matches in a tricky Group F setting. Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol are nearly impossible to break down, and Japan’s front trio don’t possess enough quality to generate steady chances at goal.
Expect excellent full-back play and tenacity in the midfield from the Croatians. They’ll see upwards of 70% of the ball, and won’t allow Japan much, if any time on it. In attack, Croatia possesses a massive aerial advantage, and the pace and creativity of Brozovic and Perisic. should open up all kinds of lanes. Andrej Kramaric was all over the ball against a weak Canada defense, and the Japanese possess similar deficiencies. While they’re quicker at the back, Kramaric should dominate on Monday afternoon.
Joško Gvardiol is a Rolls-Royce of a defender. 20 years old and the best player on the pitch in a match that featured Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modrić…sensational center back. pic.twitter.com/D014Mcvdm4
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 1, 2022
Japan vs. Croatia Trends To Know:
- Croatia are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 FIFA World Cup matches.
. - Japan is 8-1-1 in its last 10 matches.
. - Croatia have drawn five of their past six tournament knockout games, including three 1-1 draws at Russia 2018, where they remarkably reached the final.
- Should they win here, they will become only the third Asian nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals after the DPR Korea in 1966 and the Republic of Korea in 2002.
- Japan have reached the round of 16 of the World Cup for a fourth time, , including both of the past two tournaments. They never advanced beyond this stage, losing to Turkey in 2002, Paraguay (on penalties) in 2010, and Belgium in 2018.
This Japanese side lost soundly to Canada in pre-tournament competition, and the Croatians destroyed the Canadian defense. The Croatians know how to win in big games, and with their deft passing and ball-winning abilities, they don’t give up much against. Japan does not possess the attacking talent to challenge Croatia, and given all of the possession they’ll have – look for them to run the Japanese out of Qatar in the round of 16 inside the 90 minutes.
