Free 2022 World Cup Pick: Japan vs. Croatia Preview
Looking for Japan vs. Croatia free picks and a matchup preview? 2022 World Cup football betting sees Japan taking on Croatia on Monday December 5th, at Al Janoub Stadium, in Al Wakrah, in a Round of 16 World Cup matchup. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all 2022 World Cup football matchups all tournament long so stay tuned. Keep checking back for more 2022 World Cup tips like this Japan Croatia predictions blog post!
2022 World Cup Football Handicapping – Round of 16
World Cup 2022: Japan vs. Croatia Gambling Preview
Date: Monday December 5, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM ET
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, in Al Wakrah
2022 World Cup Money Line Odds: Japan +280 | Croatia +110 | Draw +220 (Bet Now!)
World Cup 2022 Spread Betting Odds: Croatia -0½ +104 | Japan 0½ -118
2022 World Cup Betting Total: 2 over -130 | 2¼ under -115
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2018 World Cup runner up Croatia takes on a surprising Japan team where the winner will punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.
Despite Croatia coming in second in their group and Japan winning their group Croatia are still the betting favorite posted at +110 with Japan at +280 and a draw at +220.
Japan Recent Form: WLW
Croatia Recent Form: DWD
Croatia
Croatia finished in second place in Group F and in another shock, Morocco won the group. Croatia played to two draws and a win in three group matches where they only conceded one goal.
They did score four goals but they all came in one match and the two draws they played were both scoreless ones. Croatia is on a nine-match unbeaten streak and the last two times they faced Japan it was in the World Cup playing to a goalless draw in 2006 and beating them in 1998.
While the Croats have a fully fit squad the veterans of Luka Modric and Dejan Lovren are playing on yellow cards and will miss the quarterfinals if they pick up one more against Japan.
Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja did not do much in the attack in the last match in a 0-0 draw with Belgium but should still feature up front. Modric is still one of the best players in the world and has played well in Qatar.
Unlike the 2018 team the 2022 Croatia team is much younger even though still led by Modric. They will have to play well in the midfield and limit mistakes against a Japan team that has thrived on the counterattack in the tournament.
Japan
Japan were the surprise winners of Group E, which many were saying was the Group of Death. Every match they played was pretty shocking, as they beat the Giants of Germany and Spain while losing to Costa Rica.
Which team for Japan will show up in this round of 16 match? The one that scored two goals in the wins over Germany and Spain or the one that was held scoreless in the loss to Costa Rica?
The Samurai Blue have gotten excellent play from substitutions and they have been solid on the counterattack and in the three matches they only averaged 32.3% of possession time.
DF Ko Itakura is out for this match after picking up a second yellow card in the last one. MF Takefusa Kubo is doubtful to play with a muscle injury.
The Japanese have seemed to be at the right place at the right time in their wins over Spain and Germany.
Ritsu Doan was a substitute in the last match and scored his second goal of the tournament and Takuma Asano has been a sub in all three matches and scored in the opener against Germany.
Japan will, once again, likely badly lose the time of possession battle against a strong tactical Croatia squad. They must take advantage of any chance to score facing a Croatia defense that is solid and has only allowed one goal in three matches in Qatar.
Free Japan vs. Croatia Prediction: Croatia -105
I am not just picking Croatia because my wife is Croatian but it helps that I am doing so, as I will not be sleeping on the couch.
Croatia have been great on defense but not so much on the attack.
Still, Modric and company will not get flustered against Japan and while they will not kill it on the attack I see them playing well up front and, yet again, in the back, as they will win 2-0 and advance to the quarterfinals.
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