Japan vs Croatia Betting Odds, Tips, Predictions, Preview 5th December 2022

Japan are to battle against Croatia in the round of 16 of the World Cup at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.

Both Japan and Croatia managed to qualify for the knockout stage and progress to the round of of 16 of the World Cup. Surely, they don't want to end their journey here, and we should be in for an exciting battle. Home side Japan go into their match on Monday as number 24 in the FIFA world ranking, while Croatia find themselves as number 12.

While considered outsiders for a group win, Japan surprised everyone by actually topping their group. Beating Germany and Spain on the way is certainly no mean feat!

Croatia expected to book a place in the next round of the World Cup after coming second four years ago. Leaving the tournament before the fun really starts would be a big blow.

Japan vs Croatia Prediction

Japan Form

Japan beat Germany by 1-2, lost 0-1 against Costa Rica, before defeating Spain 2-1. Japan claimed five wins in their last 10 matches across all tournaments, while also drawing two along the way. They endured three defeats in this run.

Japan scored an average of 1.6 goals in ten matches or a total of 16, while allowing eight goals against. This is an average of 0.8 goals goal against per match, achieving a clean sheet five times.

Croatia Form

Croatia go into their upcoming match unbeaten in their previous three matches, which started off with a 0-0 draw against Morocco. They went on to beat Canada by 4-1, before sharing the spoils with Belgium in a 0-0 draw. Croatia were able to win six of their previous 10 games across all tournaments, while drawing three of the games. They suffered one defeat as well.

Croatia are currently decent goalscorers, as they managed a bearable 13 goals in the past ten outings for an average of 1.3 goals a game. Their opponents scored a total of seven goals, and while Croatia claimed a clean sheets five times, they conceded an average of 0.7 goals per match.

Tournament Overview

Don’t give up hope, they say, and coming through as group winners Japan are high on confidence. However, they are still considered big outsiders to see the next round and might do well to sit back and await what move Croatia will try and pull off.  Croatia limped through as second in their group and now face a tough challenge in the shape of  Japan. The former nevertheless enter the match and favourites based on previous merits, but will it do them any good against an opponent riding high?

Japan vs Croatia Lineups

Japan vs Croatia Betting Tips

Look no further than Takashi Inui, when searching for a marksman currently in good shape. He hit the target twice lately for Japan in the World Cup, while Andrej Kramaric managed three goals in the last half dozen matches for Croatia in this tournament. No doubt, both are looking to add to their total once again.

In their last 10 matches across all tournaments, Japan won five times, drew two and lost three times. Croatia claimed six wins, drew three times and lost one in their last 10 games across all tournaments.

Croatia are on a roll, having now played 9 matches on the spin without losing. Croatia are on a great streak of 9 away matches without losing.

Over 2.5 goals happened in six of Japan’s last ten matches in all tournaments. They banged in an average of 1.6 goals on the way. Over 2.5 goals came up in four of Croatia's previous ten matches across all tournaments. They managed to score an average of 1.3 goals in these matches.

Of the previous 10 outings, Croatia scored the opening goal five times, whereas Japan were first on target in two of their last 10 games.