Japan vs Croatia Prediction 05.12.2022 World Cup

• Competition: World Cup - Play Offs
• Date: Monday, 5th, December 2022
• Kickoff: 15:00 UK/16.00 CET
• Venue: Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah)

Incredible drama was seen in the last round of Group E of the World Cup in the Middle East. The Japanese football team is definitely one of the biggest pleasant surprises at this year's World Cup. Namely, "Blue Samurai" created the biggest sensation, since after Germany (2-1), they also shocked Spain with the same result. However, the question arises whether the Spaniards deliberately calculated in the last round and chose to play against Morocco and not Croatia in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, the Croatian national team did not impress at the World Cup in Qatar, but what is important for them is that they secured a place in the knockout phase. The popular "Checkered Ones" drew goalless 0-0 against Morocco in the first and then "destroyed" Canada in the second with a convincing 4-1. In the third round, it can be said that the Croats were very lucky, considering that the Belgians missed several clear opportunities to score, so that match also ended in a goalless draw.

Japan vs Croatia Betting Tips: Under 2.5

These two national teams have met three times, of which two duels were played at the World Cup - both times in the group stage. Croatia beat the Japanese 1-0 (1998), while the 2006 clash ended in a goalless 0-0 draw.

Croatia is a very disciplined team, they are decorated with an excellent game in the defensive line, so there is no doubt that this generation will want to repeat the success from the previous World Cup in Russia, reaching the final, in which they lost to France. Namely, the Croatians received the only goal at the World Cup in Qatar from Canada (from the penalty shootout), so we strongly doubt that the Japanese can "break" the defensive resistance of the "Checked Ones", led by the phenomenal Josko Guardiol. Despite the 4-1 triumph, Zlatko Dalić's team was often without ideas in front of the goal, so that could be a big problem for them in the knockout stages. Knowing that the stakes are huge in such matches, we believe that the Japanese and Croats will focus mostly on the defensive segment of the game, so we should not be surprised if the match ends without goals.