Japan have provided two of the upsets of the World Cup with wins over Germany and Spain, but may not be afforded the same freedom in attack when they face Croatia on Monday.
We've picked out a 7/1 treble using Betfred's #PickYourPunt builder.
- Half/full result - Draw/Croatia
- Both teams to score - No (90 mins)
- Croatia over 3.5 shots on target (90 mins)
#PickYourPunt @ 17/2
Half/full result - Draw/Croatia
The pair meet in the last-16 at Al Wakrah's Al Janoub Stadium at 15:00 in a match the Croats are likely to try and control from the off.
Group E winners Japan' came from behind in both of those wins over Germany and Spain, but struggled in the sole game in which they needed to control the tempo, going down 1-0 to Costa Rica.
Croatia kept clean sheets against both Morocco and Belgium, with the only goal they have conceded in Qatar coming against Canada.
Expect Vatreni to keep it tight in the game's early stages and grow in confidence as the contest progresses.
Latest Japan vs Croatia Betfred Odds
Both teams to score - No (90 mins)
Croatia's success so far has been built on a rock-solid defence, albeit one that rode its luck at times against Belgium.
On the evidence of Japan's result against Costa Rica, they will be more than happy to let Samurai Blue have possession.
With Croatia unlikely to provide Japan with the type of space from which they benefitted from against both Germany and Spain, Hajime Moriyasu's men may struggle to grab a goal.
Croatia over 2.5 shots on target (90 mins)
When they do have the ball, Zlatko Dalic's side do not like to give it up and their midfield trio of Marcelo Borzovic, Mateo Kovacic and the incredible Luka Modric is arguably the best in the entire competition.
Those three regularly combine to move their side up the field and their ability to retain and recycle possession allows them to pin the opposition back and create chances.
After their cagey opener against Morocco, where they managed just two shots on target, the Croats have become more confident in the attacking third, firing 10 shots on target in the 4-1 win against Canada and four in the draw with Belgium.
While they are likely to keep things tight early on, they are sure to have periods of domination and Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda is sure to be tested.
World Cup Betting Odds
No comments:
Post a Comment