Japan hold the edge here at AT&T Stadium. They've picked up four points from their opening two games and sit second in Group F. Sweden trail them by a single point after a 1-5 thrashing against the Netherlands.
Their recent form tells its own story. Japan have won four of their last five, including that 4-0 win over Tunisia. Sweden managed just one victory in the same stretch and lost their most recent match heavily. Those results leave the Scandinavians needing something positive tonight if they want to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
Injuries have hit Japan hard. Wataru Endo is out with a foot problem, Kaoru Mitoma misses out after a torn hamstring, and Takefusa Kubo carries knee concerns. Even so, Ayase Ueda remains a real threat after claiming the Eredivisie Golden Boot with 25 goals last season. Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak carry Sweden's main attacking threat, yet the rest of their squad looks thin on current form.
Both teams are expected to line up in 4-3-3 shapes. Japan will rely on Ritsu Doan and Daichi Kamada to create chances while Sweden look to Yasin Ayari and Mattias Svanberg in midfield. The absence of confirmed lineups from most sources means these remain best guesses only.
Japan have the better record in this group and should control large parts of the game. Sweden have shown they can score but their defensive record looks shaky after conceding five last time out. Expect Japan to take the points and move closer to the knockout stage.
Recommended Bets
Japan -0.5 @1.85 — they sit above Sweden in the group and have won four of their last five matches overall
Over 2.5 goals @2.10 — Sweden conceded five in their last outing while Japan netted four in theirs
Ayase Ueda anytime goalscorer @2.60 — the Eredivisie Golden Boot winner has the form to trouble Sweden's back line
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
