Japan lock horns with Paraguay at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique in Bordeaux in an Olympic Men’s Group D fixture on Wednesday, 24 July. View our Olympic Men’s Group D betting tips for the match below.
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Japan vs Paraguay prediction: Action at both ends possible
Key Stats
- Japan scored at least once in 17 of their last 18 games in all competitions.
- Paraguay found the net in each of their last 15 matches.
- Japan have lost only 2 of their last 11 assignments.
- Paraguay were beaten 4-1 by France in their last outing, while Japan drew 1-1 with the same side last week.
Correct score prediction: Japan 2-1 Paraguay
Japan, who won four of their last five matches, rattled the net twice in two of their last four fixtures, while Paraguay notched one consolation goal in each of their recent defeats to the Dominican Republic and France.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies siding with Japan
- HOME: 19/20 (1.95) – 51.3%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Japan finished fourth at the last Olympic games at hosts and with greater pedigree in the tournament, they are expected to push deep into the competition again this year. Japan have lost only twice in 11 games and they have been backed into a price of 19/20 to win their first game in France.
Paraguay meanwhile, struggled against France (1-4) last week and they have just a 29.4% chance of bouncing back with a win according to the latest probability figures. If you’re on the hunt for more experts Olympic football tips, check out our football betting predictions page.
Most recent H2Hs: First encounter between the teams
Japan and Paraguay have met on two previous occasions. Paraguay came out on top in both of those encounters in 2016 and 2004.
Japan preview: Youthful Japanese options
Japan haven't been able to call up many of their more established stars for the Olympics, though Benfica keeper Leo Kokubo has travelled. Sparta Rotterdam's Shunsuke Mito and skipper Joel Chima Fujita should have big parts to play.
Predicted lineup: Kokubo (GK) Sekine, Takai, Kimura, Handa, Fujita, Yamamoto, Mito, Fujio, Hosoya, Hirakawa
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
Paraguay preview: Enciso the star attraction
Brighton's Julio Enciso is likely to be Paraguay's star in France, while overage inclusions Gatito Fernandez and Fabian Balbuena are likely to build out the spine of the South American's side at the Olympics.
Predicted lineup: Fernandez (GK) Flores, Balbuena, De Jesus, Nunez, Viera, Gomez, Rivas, D. Gonzalez, Enciso, E. Gonzalez
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 02/08/24
L
Egypt Olympic
1 (5)
Paraguay Olympic
1 (4)
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
W
Mali Olympic
0
Paraguay Olympic
1
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
W
Israel Olympic
2
Paraguay Olympic
4
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 24/07/24
L
Japan Olympic
5
Paraguay Olympic
0
Player to watch – Julio Enciso
Julio Enciso featured in just 12 Premier League matches during an injury-hit campaign for Brighton last term, though the 20-year-old schemer should be fit and firing for Paraguay’s Olympic adventure.
Enciso is a talented technician
Attacking midfielder Enciso is a player of genuine promise and the Brighton starlet, who has already collected 17 caps for the Paraguayan senior national team, will be tasked with pulling the strings for the South Americans in France.
