The second round of Group E matches takes place on Sunday and we take a look at both games from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the Group E winner betting where Spain are trading as short-priced favourites at 1/4 with Japan at 15/4 and you can get 17/2 Germany and 175/1 Costa Rica.
Spain are trading as 13/2 joint second favourites in the Outright Markets with Germany now out to 28/1 to win the World Cup.
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JAPAN v COSTA RICA
JAPAN
Japan pulled off a stunning upset in their first match coming from 1 goal down to beat Germany. The Germans had taken the lead by a penalty in the first-half, but Ritsu scored in the 75th minute for Japan and Takuma hit the winner after 83 minutes.
COSTA RICA
I had high hopes for Costa Rica heading into this Tournament, but they were absolutely hammered 7-0 by Spain in their opening game. Their match was effectively over as a contest by half-time with Spain leading 3-0 and the Spanish drove the nail in harder with 4 second-half goals including 2 in the final minutes.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides last met in a friendly International in 2018 when Japan won 3-0.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Japan 9/20
Draw 7/2
Costa Rica 7/1
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Japan -1.5 goals at 13/10
For this bet to arrive we need Japan to win by 2 goals or more and I think this is likely against a Costa Rica side that looked totally out of sorts in their opening match. Japan are flying high and should have few problems seeing them off.
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SPAIN v GERMANY
This is certainly a clash of the heavy weights and it is a game that Germany simply has to win after losing their opener 2-1 to Japan.
SPAIN
Spain on the other hand seem to be cruising to the playoffs after their 7-0 victory over Costa Rica, but they will know they cannot afford to slip off the gas as a victory for Germany here will put them under pressure going into their final match against Japan.
GERMANY
Everything appeared to be going to script when Germany went 1 up against Japan in the 1st half. Japan hit back though to claim a shock win that could have been backed at 7/1 before kickoff and at much bigger heading into the final 20 minutes.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides met in the UEFA Nations League at the end of 2020 with Spain winning 6-0. Spain are undefeated against Germany in their last 3 matches in all competitions. If Japan beat Costa Rica and Germany lose this game then they are heading home early.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Spain 11/8
Draw 26/10
Germany 19/10
Suggested Bet: Spain win at 11/8
If Japan beat Costa Rica earlier in the day Germany, in my opinion, will have no choice but to push hard for the victory here. I think this is going to leave them exposed at the back and that the Spanish attack will take advantage.
I was looking at over 2.5 goals, but the 4/6 price tag is a bit too short for me and I am going to keep it simple and go for Spain to send Germany packing.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
