It’s the clash of the underdogs! In the same group as Spain and Germany, these two teams must win in this second game to keep their dream of reaching the round of 16 in this World Cup alive.
✔ 1X2 Prediction Japan vs Costa Rica
This game promises to be open and exciting between these two teams. Japan appears to be slight favourite, but watch out for Costa Rica who will have no pressure. We expect a draw with goals in this match.
✔ Correct score prediction Japan vs Costa Rica
For this 2022 World Cup fixture, our prediction for the correct score would be an even contest that would see Japan score first in the first half, before Costa Rica managed to grab a draw after the break.
Japan win
This is a possible outcome. The Japanese players seem to have a better squad and overall a better team than their opponents. If there were to be a winner, it would have to be Japan. 1-0 or 2-1 seems to be the most plausible.
Draw
This is the most likely scenario. We don’t see a huge gap in terms of level between these two countries, and we don’t see huge domination of one team over another. Nevertheless, we think that there will be goals in this match. 1-1 seems to be the ideal score.
Costa Rica win
It is difficult to imagine this scenario at the moment. While Costa Rica may not start as favourites, this could motivate them to do very well against a historic Asian nation that is used to World Cup games. 0-1 or 1-2 would already be a very good performance.
✔ Half-time/Full-time Prediction : Japan – 1st half : Draw – 2nd half
In this fixture, Japan could start strongly and open the score early, before Costa Rica manages to equalise in the last 15 minutes. However, we can assume that the team that opens the score will stand a good chance to win the game.
✔ Goalscorer Prediction Japan – Costa Rica
Japan’s star striker Takumi Minamino looks the most likely to score in this game, and he could be joined by team-mate Kyogo Furuhashi. While for Costa Rica, striker Anthony Contreras could make a difference for his team.
✔ Double Chance Goalscorer Prediction: T. Minamino / A. Contreras
This game could be a chance for stars to shine. In this case, as suggested above, it could be the opportunity to see Takumi Minamino and Anthony Contreras find the back of the net. We, therefore, offer you this double chance goalscorer prediction.
📄 Analysis Japan – Costa Rica
Pre-betting Analysis
Japan easily made it through the Asian Zone qualifiers. First, they quietly finished first in their group in the second round with 8 wins in as many games. Then, in the third round, the Japanese team finished second, one point behind Saudi Arabia but seven points ahead of Australia. However, Japan lost to Oman (0-1) and Saudi Arabia (0-1).
Costa Rica, capable of the best and the worst. Capable of beating the great nations of the North American continent and usually solid defensively, the Costa Ricans are on the other hand more clumsy offensively, even against supposedly weaker nations.
A first official clash. The two countries have played each other several times in friendly games, but never in a World Cup match, nor even in an official match in any tournament.
Current Form
Japan reached the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup and have a good record against teams from their region. The East Asian Cup served as a warm-up against Hong Kong, China and South Korea in July.
Costa Rica are confident. Keylor Navas’ side beat Canada and the USA in the final match of the regular qualifying phase before beating New Zealand 1-0 in the play-off final to book the final ticket to the World Cup.
