The clash between Japan and Poland will be played at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd on June 28th. Japan could go through even with a loss if Senegal beat Colombia elsewhere, but the important thing for the Japanese is that they are deciding on their own fate here.
Japan vs. Poland
Three-Way: 1: Japan +162; X: +229 Draw; 2: Poland +190 (Odds provided by Delaware Park Sportsbook)
Spread 0: Japan -112; Poland +104
Total 2.5 goals: Over +106; Under -139
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Japan was inferior for the most part of the tilt with Senegal, but they managed to escape a defeat as Keisuke Honda made it 2-2 in the 78th minute and snatched an important draw, so the Samurai Blue could progress to the Round of 16 even with a point against Poland. It didn’t start well for the Japanese in a duel with Senegal as the goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima’s weak punch led to the Lions of Teranga’s opening goal, scored by Sadio Mane in the 11th minute. Takashi Inui tied the result in the 34th minute and helped the punters who had BTTS at +110 to make the profit.
Moussa Wague’s goal in the 71st minute put Senegal ahead again and that goal completed the over 2.5 goals bet at +170, but Keisuke Honda turned out to be a savior with a strike in the 78th minute, so if you bet on a draw at +190, this goal came at the right moment.
On the other hand, Poland showed another disappointing display in a heavy 3-0 defeat to Colombia, so the Eagles remain the only team in the group without a single point but will try to get at least one here. Yerry Mina scored the opener in the 40th minute, while Falcao doubled the Coffee Growers’ lead in the 70th minute, making it clear that Colombia will record a win at +114. Juan Cuadrado scored the last goals of the game in the 75th minute, sending the tilt to over 2.5 goals at +125.
Players to watch
Keisuke Honda has a goal and an assist thus far and his contribution is even bigger considering that he came off the bench in both games, so it is the right time for him to start and show his qualities from the opening minute.
Robert Lewandowski is still searching for his first goal at the World Cup and although he didn’t have plenty of opportunities to open the account in the previous two matches, Lewy could find the net on this one.
Probable Lineups:
Japan: Kawashima; Sakai, Yoshida, Shoji, Nagatomo; Hasebe, Shibasaki; Honda, Kagawa, Inui; Osako (Okazaki).
Poland: Fabianski; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Rybus; Krychowiak, Zielinski, Blaszczykowski, Grosicki; Milik, Lewandowski.
Betting Prediction
Japan’s chances to win the World Cup are now +25000, while the Samurai Blue is +450 to reach the quarter-finals.
The Samurai Blue is a favorite after the odds dropped on them following Poland’s big loss to Colombia, and even though they will be happy with a draw, I am backing the Japanese to send the Eagles home with three defeats.
The Pick: Japan to win (+162).