Our betting analysts at Ace Football preview the World Cup round of 16 game between Japan and Croatia and offer team news, stats, facts and the best betting suggestions for the match.
Japan are preparing for a clash against Croatia at Al Janoub Stadium this coming Monday in what is a match in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Japan and Croatia worked their way through their respective groups to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup. Both are highly motivated to continue their quest for the title. Whereas hosts Japan sit as number 24 in the FIFA world ranking, visitors Croatia arrive on Monday as number 12.
Team form: Japan vs Croatia
Japan Form
Japan added two wins to their account in their three most recent outings, as they beat Germany by 1-2. Their next match left them empty-handed in a 0-1 defeat against Costa Rica, followed up by a 2-1 win against Spain. The Samurai Blue claimed five wins in their last 10 matches across all tournaments, while also drawing two along the way. They suffered three defeats in this run.
Croatia Form
Croatia are unbeaten in their last three matches, which began with a 0-0 draw against Morocco. Then, they took out Canada 4-1, followed by a 0-0 draw with Belgium. The 2018 World Cup finalists 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.
Betting facts for Japan and Croatia
Here are some interesting betting-relevant stats and facts. They take into account matches that Japan and Croatia played across all tournaments.
- In the last 8 Japan matches, the sum of goals was under 3.5
- Japan have not lost 7 of the last 9 matches
- In 3 of the last 4 matches Japan played, both teams scored
- Japan have conceded in the last 4 matches in a row
- In 3 of the last 4 Japan matches, the sum of goals was over 2.5
- Croatia have not lost 20 of the last 22 matches
- In 11 of the last 13 Croatia matches, the sum of goals was under 3.5
- Croatia have won 6 of the last 8 matches
- In 3 of the last 4 Croatia matches, the sum of goals was under 1.5
- Croatia have scored in 7 of the last 9 matches
Players in form: Japan vs Croatia
Looking at the market for a goalscorer, it seems a good idea to side with Ritsu Doan, who is performing well for Japan. He found the back of the net two times in his most recent World Cup outings. He’ll be out to add more goals against Croatia. The visitors will be looking to Andrej Kramaric to find the net once again, after managing three goals for Croatia in recent matches.
Popular markets: Japan vs Croatia
Full-time result
Japan claimed all three points five times in their last 10 matches across all tournaments, while also drawing two along the way. They endured defeat in three of the games in this run. Croatia have won six of their last 10 games, while drawing three and losing one in this series of matches. The Blazers are on a great streak of 9 matches without losing.
Both teams to score
Surprisingly, Japan only scored the first goal of the match in two out of their last ten games. Croatia scored the opening goal in five of a possible ten games. The Blazers have kept their opponents from scoring five times in their previous 10 matches. Meanwhile, the Japanese have been able to keep a clean sheet in five of their last 10 games.
Total goals
Japan scored an average of 1.6 goals in their last ten matches in which over 2.5 goals happened six times. 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.
Recommended tip: Japan vs Croatia
The match between Japan and Croatia should be an interesting one to watch and play some bets on, too. Therefore, we have come up with a free betting tip for this World Cup game.
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