Japan vs Greece Prediction – June 19
Both Japan and Greece arrive in Natal after suffering losses in their opening World Cup matches, and a win or loss to either in their second, could very well decided who goes home early and who stays in Brazil a little longer this summer. [ad-1519080]
Group C Gambling Predictions
Japan v Greece
Thursday, June 19, 2010
6 PM EST
Estádio das Dunas, Natal
ESPN
Odds: Japan +110
Greece +250
Draw +220
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Japan forward Shinji Okazaki, who was held silent in the side’s opening match against the Ivory Coast. Alberto Zaccheroni’s side is facing an uphill battle to reach the next round after allowing the Cote d’Ivoire to rally to beat them 2-1 on Saturday.
[ad-3678122]
Meanwhile, Greece’s vaunted defense collapsed against Colombia, as they were beat 3-0.
Japan will not look to beat a wounded Greece side, by getting back to their usual style of play that they abandoned after taking an early lead against Ivory Coast on Keisuke Honda’s spectacular goal.
The Japanese will need to stick to their attacking instincts if they are to advance past the group stage, playing more aggressive.
Okazaki will be a big part of that. The German Bundesliga man is coming off an excellent season for Mainz, in which he scored 15 goals in 33 appearances.
If Okazaki can get it going, that will spell trouble for Greece, which could see changes in its starting XI, including a decision to start striker Kostas Mitroglou.
Mitroglou was Greece’s top scorer in qualifying, but was kept out the side’s starting XI in their opening match, because of nagging knee injuries.
Boss Fernando Santos however, did however; inject Mitroglou into Greece’s offense in the second half of their loss to Colombia.
Santos will also expect his side to improve in defense, which conceded just six goals in 12 qualifying matches to make it the tournament, then looked uncertain at the back against Colombia, with all three goals coming during questionable defensive work.
Prediction – Greece –
There is no margin for error for either side in this match up, so you can expect a game that will offer a lot of changes for the offense to open up play and get out to a strong start and an early lead.
If that happens, and Greece can rediscover their stingy defense that shut down even the toughest opponents in their World Cup qualifying run, they should be able to walk away with the win here.
Capperspicks.com Soccer picks channel is your best bet online for all the free Knockout round World Cup Betting Predictions you can handle. Check back with us for EVERY single tournament game. We’re not the best soccer betting experts on the planet, but we work our ASSES off to make you some MONEY!
