Group E looks set to come to a thrilling conclusion on Thursday and we take a look at both of the matches from a betting angle.
Spain are currently top of Group E on 4 points with Japan and Costa Rica a point behind them on 3, Germany are down on 1 point and cannot win the group, but qualification is still a realistic target.
Germany need to beat Costa Rica and hope Spain beat Japan or that if Spain and Japan draw they have a better goal difference than Japan something which would be likely as they are currently only 1 goal behind. There are other permutations, but those are the most likely.
As far as the Group winner goes Spain are understandably short at 1/20, with Japan at 7/1 and Costa Rica at 110/1.
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COSTA RICA v GERMANY
COSTA RICA
Costa Rica were absolutely taken to the cleaners by Spain in their opening game going down 7-0, but they bounced back strongly as they withstood early Japanese pressure to win 1-0, a result which could have been backed at 13/2.
GERMANY
Germany are still looking for their first win in the Group stages and there is a very real possibility that they go out and a win against Costa Rica is a non-negotiable. They went down 2-1 to Japan in their opening game despite taking the lead and then had to come from behind to grab a crucial point against Spain in a 1-1 draw.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides met in a World Cup 2006 with Germany winning 4-2
BETTING – Click here to bet
Costa Rica 22/1
Draw 9/1
Germany 1/9
Suggested Bet: Germany over 3.5 goals at 5/4
Germany will be chasing not only the victory, but goal difference as well. It won’t take much to overtake Japan on goal difference, but on the off chance Japan beats Spain they will have to narrow a big gap against the Spanish and as so as long as that game can go either way I am expecting Germany to push and most likely to get goals against this Costa Rica defence.
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JAPAN v SPAIN
JAPAN
Japan were very disappointed to lose to an 81st minute goal against Costa Rica and they certainly had their chances throughout the game. They had caused a 6/1 upset when they came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in their opener.
SPAIN
Spain are in pole position after a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica, although they would have been disappointed to allow Germany back into the game for a 1-1 draw.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides last met in a friendly International in 2001 with Spain edging it 1-0.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Japan 7/1
Draw 4/1
Spain 4/10
Suggested Bet: The draw at 4/1
The draw would be enough to see Spain through and it may well be good enough for Japan as well.
Spain now priced at 13/2 to win the Tournament have been one of the better teams for me, but I am going to bet that Japan holds them here.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
