Sport
England vs Japan Prediction and Tips
England face Japan at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening, with betting tips and predictions on the contest at William Hill News.
After a game full of controversy against Uruguay, England enter this fixture with something to prove. They will be looking for a big result to finish off their preparation with several players still left with something to prove to get be on the plane for the summer tournament.
Despite their recent inefficiencies in front of goal, England enter the fixture as heavy favourites at 11/20 whilst Japan are outsiders at 9/2.
England vs Japan
Thomas Tuchel’s side arrive off the back of an unconvincing draw against Uruguay with a heavily rotated squad, containing many players potentially facing being cut from the final team ahead of the World Cup. While England had the larger share of possession, they were disjointed and lacked creativity for large portions of the game in the attacking third against Uruguay.
Tuchel is likely to revert to his more proven starting 11, prompting the return of familiar stars such as Jude Bellingham, Jordan Pickford and Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich man is 29/10 favourite to score first in the tie following his consistent goalscoring for Bayern Munich. Dominic Solanke failed to find the back of the net against Uruguay but showed signs of scoring his first goal for the Three Lions at senior level – he would be of interest at 18/5 if preferred to Kane by Tuchel.
While the two sides have only met 3 times since 1995, England are unbeaten with 2 wins and a draw, however, both teams have scored in every meeting. England have looked vulnerable on the counterattack on a handful of occasions which would be an area for Japan’s rapid front line of Ritsu Doan, Kaoru Mitoma and Daizen Maeda to exploit. As a result, Both Teams To Score looks an enticing bet, priced at 17/20.
Japan also boast strong form coming into the tie. They’re unbeaten in seven, courtesy of recent wins against Ghana, Scotland and an upset victory against Brazil. With Junya Ito scoring a late winner in the 84th minute against the Scots after sustained pressure, it serves as a warning to England of their ever-present threat if the game remains close.
The Samurai Blue have scored 11 goals in their last five fixtures, with three of those coming against Brazil, proving high quality opposition is no problem. They’ll be buoyed by their most recent victory against Scotland and over 1.5 goals for Japan priced at 10/3 looks good value.
Japan have also scored first in 7 of their last 10 games catching teams on electric counter attacks and capitalising on a moment of complacency. Giving England’s recent sub-par performance last Friday, they may be open to an early chance by this clinical Japanese side, with the first goal scored by Japan priced at 11/5.
