Japan take on Costa Rica at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
Group E is shaping up to be one of the best at the tournament, with Spain and Japan on three points each and Germany and Costa Rica with zero points to their name.
Samurai Blue picked up a stunning victory over the Germans in their opening game – can they follow that up with another three points here? Check out the latest odds and Japan vs Costa Rica best bets.
Japan vs. Costa Rica
Japan’s Performance Recap
Japan will still be flying after their comeback win over four-time World Cup winners Germany in midweek.
They head into Sunday’s game in high spirits, and the Japanese are the bookies’ favorites to pick up another three points. Our World Cup Japan predictions are below.
Costa Rica’s Performance Recap
Costa Rica crashed to a humbling loss to Spain, and this will be another stern test for Los Ticos.
To make matters worse, Costa Rica’s next game will see them face a wounded Germany. The Costa Ricans will exit the competition if they lose this one.
On paper, the games against Spain and Germany are Costa Rica’s toughest challenges in Qatar, but Japan will also be a formidable opponent. Keep reading for the Japan vs Costa Rica best bets and tips.
Japan vs. Costa Rica Last Game
These two nations last met in an international friendly at Panasonic Stadium Suita back in September 2018.
Japan ran out comfortable 3-0 winners on home turf, with Sho Sasaki, Takumi Minamino, and Junya Ito getting the goals.
The game before that also went Samurai Blue’s way, as they won a friendly in Florida by three goals to one in June 2014.
Japan vs. Costa Rica Analysis
Japan
Japan has already pulled off one of the shocking results of the tournament. Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina may have just edged it, but the Japanese did remarkably well to topple Germany in game one.
Although never in control of the fixture, Hansi Flick’s Germans took a first-half lead thanks to an Ilkay Gundogan penalty.
However, Japan really showed their mettle in the second period, and Hajime Moriyasu’s side found a deserved equalizer through Ritsu Doan 15 minutes from time.
Takuma Asano, who plies his trade in Germany with Bochum, then netted the winner in the 83rd minute.
After such an impressive result and performance on matchday one, Japan will be desperate to follow that up with another three points here. If they can pick up a win, the Japanese will all but book their place in the last 16.
After beating Germany, Japan could be a dark horse and might well be many people’s Qatar 2022 predictions to go far.
Before thinking about the knockout stage, the Japanese must take care of the Costa Ricans on Sunday. In this in-depth betting preview, you will find the Japan vs Costa Rica best bets and Japan predictions.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica will be eliminated from the World Cup if they lose to Japan this weekend. Finishing in the top two of a group containing the likes of Spain and Germany was always going to be an arduous task, but can they restore some pride after the Spanish humiliation and pick up a positive result before their final Group E game against the Germans?
Costa Rica was outclassed and outfought against a rampant Spain team in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup.
They went a goal down after just ten minutes and failed to recover. Ferran Torres (2), Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Gavi, Carlos Solder, and Alvaro Morata got the Spain goals in the 7-0 rout in Doha.
Things will not get any easier after this, as Costa Rica’s next game on their World Cup schedule will be against multiple-time world champions Germany. It looks very likely that Los Ticos will return home from Qatar with zero points in the bag.
The Costs Ricans will be desperate to avoid another heavy loss on Sunday. Can they restore some pride and frustrate the Japanese in Al Rayyan?
Japan vs. Costa Rica Odds Breakdown
Japan Odds
As anticipated, Japan head into their second World Cup group match in Qatar as the clear favorites to easily see off the Costa Ricans. Right now, the best price you can get on a Japanese victory is just -225.
Costa Rica Odds
Costa Rica is being priced at even longer odds than usual after their massive defeat to Spain. The bookies offer +700 for a Costa Rican win, while the draw is currently at +333.
Japan vs. Costa Rica Betting Pick and Prediction
Japan rode their luck at times, but Moriyasu’s side certainly deserved their opening-round win over the Germans on Wednesday. If Spain and Germany draw on Sunday, three points against Costa Rica will put Samurai Blue into the Round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
Costa Rica was well out of their depth against Spain. Although the margin of victory is unlikely to be as big, we can see the Costa Ricans crashing to another heavy World Cup defeat on the weekend.
FIFA World Cup Pick: -1 (-140)
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