Japan vs Great Britain Odds & Prediction – Olympic Women’s Soccer July 24

• It is Japan Women vs Great Britain Women round two of the Olympics on Saturday, July 24 at 6:30 pm EST
• The Sapporo Dome plays host to this Group E clash
• We preview the game, look at the odds, and offer a best bet below

It is Japan Women vs Great Britain Women on Matchday 2 of the 2020 Olympic women’s soccer tournament Group E, on Saturday, July 24, in the Sapporo Dome at 6.30 am EST.

Great Britain is top of the group after a 2-0 win over Chile on Tuesday, while Japan is two points behind after drawing 1-1 with Canada on opening day.

We list the odds, preview Japan vs Great Britain, and offer below the best bet for this round 2 clash.

Japan vs Great Britain Olympic Odds

Odds as of July 23 at DraftKings

Japan Held by Canada

Japan was hoping to get off to a flier on home soil when they took on Canada on Tuesday but could only manage a 1-1 draw, and so face Great Britain on Saturday needing the minimum of a point. In fact, it could have been far worse for the Japanese, who were behind for long spells after falling behind after just six minutes.

Japan miss a penalty!

The penalty awarded after a very long VAR check for a foul by Stephanie Labbé.

The Canada keeper looked injured, stayed on and then saved Mina Tanaka's spot kick.

Japan 0-1 Canada

📲 Live on @BBCiPlayer, 🔴 Red Button and @BBCSport app.#bbcolympics

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 21, 2021

In the end, it took them 78 minutes to respond, when Arsenal’s Mana Iwabuchi finally managed to pull them level, giving them 12 minutes to find a winner. But it was not to be and, in truth, the Canadians were good value for their point and may argue they deserved all three. But three shots on target each suggests a draw was a fair result, even though the Japanese did miss a penalty early on in the second half when Mina Tanaka had a spot-kick saved.

GB’s Easy Win Over Chile

Great Britain’s tournament started in the perfect way, with a comfortable 2-0 win against a mediocre Chile team; Hege Riise’s side making light work of what could have been a tricky opener. A goal in each half from Manchester City’s Ellen White was more than enough coupled with a sound defensive show from their vastly experienced back four.

Three points, two goals, one @ellsbells89

The perfect start to @Tokyo2020 for #TeamGB

🎥 @Eurosport_UK pic.twitter.com/iXX4Ubn4uP

— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 21, 2021

Any concerns Riise had around the lack of pre-tournament friendlies for her squad were quickly laid to rest with a really professional display, helped enormously by the fact she was able to field no less than seven Manchester City players in the starting XI

Japan vs Great Britain Head-to-Head Stats

Kirby Back for Great Britain

Japan is expected to retain its usual 4-4-2 formation against Great Britain, with few changes expected from the XI that started against Canada, meaning Iwabuchi starting up front alongside Yuika Sugasawa, who will likely retain her place despite being replaced by Tanaka at halftime against the Canadians. Controlling things in defense will be the vastly experienced Saki Kumagai who has 115 caps to her name and plies her trade in Germany with Bayern Munich. She will be tasked with shackling Ellen White.

GOAL!

Who else?

On her 300th cap for Canada, Christine Sinclair puts them ahead!

Japan 0-1 Canada

📲 Watch live on @BBCiPlayer, 🔴 Red Button and @BBCSport app.#bbcolympics #Tokyo2020

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 21, 2021

The GB line-up is expected to be similar to the one that beat Chile but Chelsea’s Fran Kirby is expected to be in the 18 after missing out totally on Wednesday through injury, but there will be a change of captain with Steph Houghton – captain against Chile – sharing the armband duties with Kim Little or Sophie Ingle throughout the tournament. Lauren Hemp also looks likely to start for GB, despite being substituted after 68 minutes on Wednesday, and will again be expected to support White in the attacking third, who will already have one eye on the Golden Boot after her opening day brace.

Half-time at the Sapporo Dome.#TeamGB 1-0 🇨🇱@ellsbells89's first goal at the @Olympics is the difference at the break! 👏 pic.twitter.com/WAVKCRCfBM

— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 21, 2021

Japan vs Great Britain Best Bets

Japan will offer the Great Britain defense a much sterner test on Saturday than they experienced against Chile, and coach Riise will know her team will have to be at their best if they are to make it two wins from two. Ironically, Japan will be more dangerous opponents having dropped points in their first game and with a sprinkling of players in their team who play in the English Women’s Super League, will know the strengths and weaknesses of the Great Britain team.

As a result, this will be close and I do not expect there to be more than a goal in it if indeed there is an outcome one way or the other. For me, these two are so well matched and GB will know the importance of not losing this game as opposed to going all out for the win, the value here is with the draw.

http://topbankinfo.ruPick: Japan and Great Britain to draw (+245)