Japan got off to a perfect start to the 2024 Olympic games as they thrashed Paraguay on matchday one.
Saturday's opponents Mali will have been frustrated that they failed to secure all three points against Israel in their opening game, having to instead settle for a share of the spoils.
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Japan Olympic vs Mali Olympic prediction: Back-to-back wins for Japan?
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in five of Mali's last six outings.
- Japan have scored in each of their last six matches.
- Shota Fujio scored twice against Paraguay in Japan's opening group game.
Correct score prediction: Japan Olympic 2-1 Mali Olympic
Japan have scored at least two goals in four of their last six fixtures and Mali have only failed to score in one of their last six matches.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Odds not yet available
- HOME: N/A
- DRAW: N/A
- AWAY: N/A
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Mali lead
These two nations clashed in a friendly match back in March and it was the Africans that came away with a 3-1 victory.
Japan Olympic preview: Look like medal contenders
Japan put in a five-star performance against Paraguay on matchday one but were given a helping hand by their South American opponents.
Sparta Rotterdam's Shunsuke Mito fired Japan in front after just 18 minutes and Paraguay went down to 10 men in the 25th minute following a red card for one of their central midfielders.
Mito doubled Japan's and his total just after the hour mark before Rihito Yamamoto of Sint-Truidense made it 3-0. Japan's number nine Shota Fujio came off the bench in the 73rd minute and scored two goals late on to wrap up a 5-0 win.
Predicted lineup: Kokubo (GK), Kimura, Ohata, Takai, Sekine, Yamamoto, Fujita, Saito, Fujio, Mito & Sato
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 02/08/24
L
Spain Olympic
3
Japan Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
W
Israel Olympic
0
Japan Olympic
1
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
W
Mali Olympic
0
Japan Olympic
1
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 24/07/24
W
Paraguay Olympic
0
Japan Olympic
5
Olympics 2020 Soccer - Men 06/08/21
L
Mexico Olympic
3
Japan Olympic
1
Mali Olympic preview: Left frustrated by Israel
Mali had been given the tag of ‘favourites' ahead of their opening group game against Israel but were left frustrated at the final whistle.
The opening 45 minutes failed to produce any goals but Israel took an unlikely lead in the 56th minute when Farense's Hamidou Diallo put through his own goal.
Mali responded well to going behind and leveled the scoreline just after the hour mark via Cheickna Doumbia but couldn't muster a winning goal and the game ended in a stalemate.
Predicted lineup: L. Diarra (GK), Doucouré, Tounkara, Diomandé, Diallo, Jiddou, Traoré, B. Diarra, Diakité, T. Diarra & Doumbia
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
L
Paraguay Olympic
1
Mali Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
L
Japan Olympic
1
Mali Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 24/07/24
D
Israel Olympic
1
Mali Olympic
1
Player to watch – Shota Fujio
Shota Fujio has been in good form for his club side Machida Zelvia this year, netting eight times in 19 appearances in the J-League.
The 23-year-old, who is yet to feature for the Japan senior international side, came off the bench against Paraguay to score two goals late on and has surely done enough to command a starting role against Israel this weekend.
Came off the bench to score twice against Paraguay
The former Cerezo Osaka striker showed skill and determination in the short time he was on the pitch for his country on matchday one and already joint-top scores at the 2024 Olympics alongside his fellow countryman Shunsuke Mito and Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi.
