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Japan vs Spain Odds & Prediction World Cup Group E

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated Nov 30, 2022 · 11:37 AM PST

Hidemasa Morita with the ball
Nov 27, 2022; Al Rayyan, Qatar; Japan midfielder Hidemasa Morita (13) and Costa Rica defender Francisco Calvo (15) pursue the ball during a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
  • First meets second in the third game of tight group at 2:00 pm ET on Thursday
  • Spain drew 1-1 with Germany last time out while Japan slumped 1-0 against Costa Rica
  • See our Japan vs Spain prediction, odds and best bets for World Cup Group E below

First meets second in Japan vs Spain in World Cup Group E in Qatar on Thursday.

The section is tight with Spain leading with four points. Meanwhile, Japan is second with three points ahead of third-placed Costa Rica on goal difference.

Germany is fourth with one point. However, ahead of Japan vs Spain, all four nations can potentially progress to the knockout round of 16.

Spain opened with a stunning 7-0 defeat of Costa Rica then subsequently drew 1-1 with Germany.

Japan scored a memorable 2-1 win against Germany in its opening fixture. But it then fell 1-0 against Costa Rica.

Japan vs Spain Odds

Result Moneyline
Japan +750
Spain -255
Draw +380

Odds as of November 30 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim this DraftKings Sportsbook promo code before betting on the match. Check out DraftKings’ parlay boosts for the World Cup offering up to 100% in parlay profit boosts. 

At DraftKings, 2010 tournament winner Spain is a huge favorite for a win at -255. Meanwhile, it is a +700 third favorite in the World Cup odds.

It has been performing in a typically stylish fashion at the tournament – managing no fewer than 12 build-up attacks of 10 passes or more.

This means the tenacious Japanese side will require a hard-working and energetic display to thwart Spain’s passing game.

Japan, meanwhile, is unsurprisingly ranked as a wide outsider despite its defeat of mighty Germany – at a price of +750.

The draw – which would ensure that Spain reaches the last 16 – is priced at +380 with kick-off at 2:00 pm ET.

Japan vs Spain Statistics

Japan
VS
Spain
1 Wins 1
0 Draws 1
1 Losses 0
2 Goals 8
2 Goals Against 1
3 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
0 Clean Sheets 1

*Statistics from World Cup finals 2022

A Spanish win would hand it the top place in the group.

Moreover, Japan would take first place with a victory – dependent on whether Costa Rica beats Germany and it somehow wipes out its minus-six goal difference.

A draw in Japan vs Spain would potentially hand Costa Rica the chance to overtake both those nations.

Even Germany could snatch second place from Japan with a win against Costa Rica.

The oddsmakers rate Spain as a huge favorite to top the group at -2000. Japan is the second favorite at -700 with Costa Rica at +8000. No odds are offered for Germany.

Over/Under & Spread

It appears that the oddsmakers are expecting goals in Japan vs Spain. Therefore, a total of at least three goals attracts negative odds of -139 (Over 2.5).

The first positive odds are for four goals or more at +185 (Over 3.5).

A goalless draw – unlikely with the group so tight and so many qualification permutations in play – is priced at +1200 (Under 0.5).

Among the spread offers, Spain is priced at +110 to win by two goals or more (Asian Handicap -1.5).

Meanwhile, Japan is priced at +100 to win or draw (Asian Handicap +1.25).

Alvaro Morata to Score Odds

Spain’s Alvaro Morata is the joint-third leading scorer at the tournament with two goals.

He came off the bench to find the net against both Costa Rica and Germany.

He is the favorite to get on the scoresheet in Japan vs Spain predictions at +115 – or +330 to score first or last.

Atletico Madrid striker Morata has hit 29 goals in 59 appearances for his country.

Furthermore, his teammate Ansu Fati of Barcelona is the second favorite to score at +125 – even though he has not played at the finals – nor, indeed, in any World Cup qualifying ties.

Then comes Spain’s Marco Asensio at +150.

The Real Madrid winger scored in the opening game 7-0 defeat of Costa Rica but has only two international goals in 33 appearances.

Daizen Medea of Celtic has yet to score in one appearance at the finals.

But he is rated as the favorite Japanese player to find the target at +300 – or + 900 to score first or last.

He is rated behind ten Spanish players among these odds.

Japan vs Spain History

Ahead of this match, these teams have met only once before.

There was a 1-0 win for Spain in a friendly in 2001.

Spain vs Japan Line-Ups & Injuries

Spain projected line-up: Simon; Carvajal, P. Torres, Laporte, Alba; Koke, Rodri, Pedri; Asensio, Morata, Olmo

Injuries: Busquets

Japan projected line-up: Gonda; Yamane, Itakura, Yoshida, Nagatomo; Tanaka, Morita; Doan, Kamada, Kubo; Maeda

Injuries: None 

Japan vs Spain Prediction

Alvaro Morata could be rewarded for his goal-scoring exploits from the bench with a starting place. At +115 odds, he is an attractive price to continue his goalscoring form for our Japan vs Spain prediction.

 Pick Alvaro Morata to score (+115)

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