Japan will face Croatia in the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup. The kickoff is due at 16:00 UK time at the Al Janoub Stadium, date: 05/12/2022.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction One — Total goals: Over 1.5 goals- 1.38
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction Two — 1&2nd half results: Draw/Croatia to win – 4.8
Japan won two of their group’s fixtures with over 1.5 goals, whereas Croatia on the other hand did go ahead to register over 2.5 goals in just a single game, despite failing to register any in their opening and closing matches, respectively. It is no doubt that stakes are high now, and it is with no doubt we might be seeing the best of both teams on the score board.
Going by the previously played matches in the group stage, Both Japan and Croatia at some point failed to register any goals during the 1st half of play. We may be seeing a recurrence of both teams playing draw at first half.
Japan made it to the last 16 as Group E winners thanks to their 2-1 win over Spain on Thursday. And in doing so, they became just the third nation in World Cup history to win two different games at a single tournament in which they were losing at half-time, after Brazil in 1938 and West Germany in 1970. The Blue Samurai will be searching for their first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance.
Croatia:
Croatia, who were Runners-up in 2018, have been unconvincing so far, but a goalless draw against Belgium on Thursday was enough to see them through to the round of 16 by finishing second from Group F with an unbeaten record (W1, D2). Coach Zlatko Dalić admitted his side were only “lucky” against Belgium as they produced a weak display, especially in the first half where, for the second time in the tournament, neither side managed a shot on target before half-time. It was also their second goalless draw of this edition; Croatia had only drawn a blank in two of their 13 previous World Cup matches before coming to Qatar.
Although Japan will be going into this game as the underdogs, we cannot overlook the series of upsets we had witnessed in the group stages. The Blue Samurai could pull off one of such upsets against an experienced Croatian side.
Double chance Croatia to win or draw. The overly experienced side could force the game to end in a draw after the regular time.
Goalkeeper: Gonda
Defenders: Itakura, Yoshida, Taniguchi
Midfielders: Ito, Endo, Morita, Mitoma
Forwards: Doan, Tomiyasu, Asano
Goalkeeper: Livakovic
Defenders: Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa
Midfielders: Brozovic, Modric, Kovacic
Forwards: Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic
Where will this match be played?
The game will be played at the Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah)
Which bookmaker has the best odds for this fixture?
We recommend checking out the odds at 22Bet for Japan vs Croatia