Japan v Croatia predictions: Both teams to play their part in entertaining clash

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Japan v Croatia in the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 3pm Monday

Best bets

Both teams to score
2pts 21-20 Betfair, Hills, Paddy Power

Japan have already shown they can punish high-class possession-based sides on the counter at the World Cup and they will hope to do the same against Croatia. Both teams have found the net in three of the Blue Samurai's last four games and they should have a say in another competitive affair.

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Match preview

Japan were 14-1 shots to win Group E but provided one of the shocks of the group stage to overcome European giants Germany and Spain to top the section, despite also losing to basement boys Costa Rica.

The Blue Samurai take on 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia in the round of 16 as they look to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Croatia finished second in Group F after they bookended a 4-1 win over Canada with a pair of goalless draws against Morocco and Belgium.

Their skilful midfield trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic have again demonstrated their ability to control games at the elite level and 20-year-old central defender Josko Gvardiol has shown why he is one of the most sought-after young players in world football.

Gvardiol has put in a series of assured displays at the back, particularly against Belgium when he marshalled the defence against wave after wave of attacks and made a series of crucial interventions.

Croatia are unbeaten in their last nine matches, a run which includes wins over France and Denmark, but they would be wise not to underestimate Japan, who have already proved to be effective on the counter against a pair of possession-based European nations, Germany and Spain, and should offer a similar threat at the Al Janoub Stadium.

The Blue Samurai rely on their pressing and intensity to unsettle opponents with pacy forwards Daizen Maeda, Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo all making themselves a nuisance to the opposition backline.

Manager Hajime Moriyasu has preferred to utilise some of his game-changers from the bench, bringing on the likes of Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and Ritsu Doan to great effect during the group stage.

Indeed, of the four goals Japan have scored at the tournament three have been netted by substitutes, so expect the Blue Samurai to maintain their intensity throughout.

Given Japan's tendency to finish strong, it may be worth a small interest on Croatia to be leading at half-time and the game to be level at the end of 90 minutes in the double-result market.

Although, backing both teams to score looks a more solid option.

Both teams have found the net in three of Japan’s last four matches and both teams have scored in three of Croatia’s last five competitive games.

Key stat

Both teams have scored in three of Japan's last four games.

Team news

Japan
Ko Itakura is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the group stage and Takefusa Kubo is a doubt.

Croatia
Croatia have reported no fresh injury concerns for this game.

Probable teams

Japan (3-4-3) Gonda; Tomiyasu, Yoshida, Taniguchi; Ito, Tanaka, Morita, Nagatomo; Minamino, Maeda, Kamada

Croatia (4-3-3) Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic

Inside info

Japan

Top scorer in probable team Takumi Minamino
Star player Daichi Kamada
Penalty taker Takumi Minamino
Assist ace Daichi Kamada
Set-piece aerial threat Maya Yoshida
Card magnet Maya Yoshida

Croatia

Top scorer in probable team Andrej Kramaric
Star player Luka Modric
Penalty taker Luka Modric
Assist ace Ivan Perisic
Set-piece aerial threat Dejan Lovren
Card magnet Dejan Lovren