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Japan will look to take a significant step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup knockouts in Group F when they take on Tunisia in the early hours of Sunday morning at Monterrey Stadium.
After fighting their way back against the Netherlands to draw 2-2 on June 14, Japan come into this clash in second place with one point, whereas opponents Tunisia are last in fourth with no points having suffered a potentially fatal 5-1 defeat against Sweden on June 15
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as our best World Cup betting offers.
Tunisia vs Japan key stats
- Six of Japan’s last seven goals have come after the half-time interval.
- Tunisia have now conceded 10 goals in their past two games.
- Japan's failure to keep a clean sheet against the Netherlands was the first time they conceded any goals in six games.
- Tunisia have conceded at least three goals in three of their eight most recent fixtures.
Tunisia vs Japan preview: An opportunity to take control of the group?
| Tunisia | vs | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 45th | FIFA Ranking | 18th |
| Radhi Jaidi (105) | Most Caps | Yasuhito Endo (152) |
| Issam Jemaa (36) | Most Goals | Kunishige Kamamoto (75) |
| 598 | Total Caps | 812 |
| 44 | Total Goals | 101 |
| 1 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Japan managed to come back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits when they clashed with the Netherlands, with Daichi Kamada netting their second with just two minutes left on the clock.
A draw was a fair reflection of the game considering neither side created many clear opportunities from open play, though it will perhaps concern Samurai Blue that both of the goals that they conceded came from the right side of the pitch.
Sweden have taken an early lead in the group, but given they will face the Dutch on Saturday, it would not be surprising if they dropped points, so a win for Japan could put them in control of Group F.
Boss Hajime Moriyasu will be confident that his team can improve defensively considering his team had kept five clean sheets in the five games prior to their fixture last time out, including against England in March.
Takefusa Kubo picked up an injury to his left knee against the Netherlands, and while no timeframe has been put on his recovery, the Japanese press are said to consider his participation on Sunday as unlikely, though striker Ayase Ueda has said that he should be fit to play a role.
It would be harsh to be overly critical of Tunisia for their display against Sweden given their opponents possess star players like Alexander Isak, but it was alarming to see that they produced no shots from open play across the entire match.
The display ultimately cost Sabri Lamouchi his job as head coach, with the 54-year-old becoming the first ever manager to be sacked after just one game at the World Cup.
Former Morocco and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard was appointed in place of Lamouchi, and supporters may remember him as the man that oversaw Saudi Arabia's shock victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
Renard could look to rely upon Ellyes Skhiri in midfield despite the fact the Eintracht Frankfurt star was subbed off against Sweden, but he may opt to take goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh out of the firing line in favour of Aymen Dahmen.
Tunisia vs Japan form guide & betting tips
| Tunisia | vs | Japan |
|---|---|---|
WDLLL |
Form | WWWWD |
| 2 | Goals For | 8 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 2 |
| L | World Cup | D |
Whispers predicts: Tunisia 0-3 Japan
Following their disastrous result against Sweden, Tunisia are not seen favourably by the bookmakers, with a Japan victory priced at 8/15 (1.53)
As for matters on the pitch, Japan's strong record in front of goal after the break means that there is value in predicting Japan to Win the Second Half at 5/6 (1.83).
It would also be surprising if Tunisia managed to pose much of a threat in the final third considering Japan boast an excellent defence, so it makes sense to predict Tunisia to Score Under 0.5 Goals at 10/11 (1.91)
Although Japan have not been particularly prolific of late, backing Japan to Score Over 2.5 Goals at 23/10 (3.3) could be inspired due to the frailties of their opponents' defence.
> Japan to Win the Second Half at 5/6 (1.83) | Likelihood: Possible
> Tunisia to Score Under 0.5 Goals at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Possible
> Japan to Score Over 2.5 Goals at 23/10 (3.3) | Likelihood: Outside