In the opening round of the third stage of Asian WC qualifiers, Japan will host China on Thursday, 5 September.
The hosts are the absolute favuorites, but can they justify this tag against China? Find out from our Japan vs China predictions and preview right here.
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Japan vs China prediction: A confident win for the hosts
Key stats
- Japan have won four games in a row in the previous stage of the WC qualifiers, with a goal difference of 14:0.
- China have just one win in their last ten matches across the board.
- Takumi Minamino is Japan's top scorer when it comes to active players with 21 goals in 59 appearances.
Correct score prediction: Japan 2-0 China
While China have somehow managed to get to this stage of the qualifiers, they are one of the clear outsiders in the group and Japan should have an easy time against them in the first round. We expect them to score two goals, which was the case in three of the last five meetings with China.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Japan the absolute favourites
- HOME: 1/11 (1.09) – 91.70%
- DRAW: 10/1 (11.00) – 9.10%
- AWAY: 33/1 (34.00) – 2.9%
It's clear from these Japan vs China odds that the bookies see the hosts as the expected winners and it's not even close, which is hardly a surprise given the difference in quality between these two teams.
After all, Japan are on a four-game winning streak, while China have struggled to win any matches lately. On top of that, Japan will also host the game, so it's clear why they're absolutely
For more predictions on the weekend’s football, take a look at our football betting tips page.
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Most recent H2Hs: Japan dominating the matchup
With four wins over China in their last five meetings, Japan have been the better team of the two recently. In fact, we'd have to go fourteen games and 40+ years in the past for the last China's win over Japan.
East Asian Championship 24/07/22
Japan
China PR
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 27/01/22
Japan
China PR
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 07/09/21
China PR
Japan
East Asian Championship 10/12/19
China PR
Japan
East Asian Championship 12/12/17
Japan
China PR
Japan preview: In good mood ahead of this game
With four wins in a row to close out the previous stage of the WC qualifiers, most of them quite convincing, Japan enter the third stage as one of the favourites to top the group. After all, Japan have reached World Cup six times in a row, so their fans certainly have the same expectations now.
Meanwhile, Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss this match with a knee injury.
Predicted lineup: Osako (GK), Taniguchi, Ikatura, Machida, Doan, Endo, Tanaka, Nakamura, Kubo, Minamino & Ueda
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 10/09/24
W
Bahrain
0
Japan
5
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 05/09/24
W
China PR
0
Japan
7
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 11/06/24
W
Syria
0
Japan
5
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 06/06/24
W
Myanmar
0
Japan
5
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 26/03/24
W
North Korea
0
Japan
3
China preview: Hoping to avoid disaster
Given their recent form and one win in their last 10 games in all competitions, China travel to Japan as the clear outsiders and anything other than a convincing loss would be seen as a solid result.
Predicted lineup: D. Wang (GK), Yang, Zhu, Browning, Liu, Wu, Jiang, S. Wang, Xie, Fernandinho & Yuning
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 10/09/24
L
Saudi Arabia
2
China PR
1
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 05/09/24
L
Japan
7
China PR
0
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 11/06/24
L
South Korea
1
China PR
0
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 06/06/24
D
Thailand
1
China PR
1
Asia - World Cup Qualifying 26/03/24
W
Singapore
1
China PR
4
Player to watch: Takumi Minamino
With 21 goals in Japan's national team, Minamino is the best scorer in the team of all active players. Arguably, he's also the biggest name and thus he's our player to watch against China.
