Japan v Colombia World Cup 2014, 24th June Betting Preview
Both are still in contention for a place in the round of sixteen at Brazil 2014, but it is the Colombians who are looking a far safer bet to get there. They only need a point to guarantee top spot in the group, while Japan need to pick up all three points as well as needing some unlikely help from Greece to get through.
Japan v Colombia Betting Tips
Japan have disappointingly only managed to pick up the one point so far, that coming in their second match, a 0-0 draw against Greece. That may have been their big missed opportunity to muscle their way into the top two spots in Group B, because it was their easiest game. So the Blue Samurai now need to win and hope that Greece can beat the Ivory Coast in the other group match. It is a little unlikely. After some great form ahead of the World Cup, Japan simply haven’t delivered when it has mattered most.
These two have played twice before, and Japan are without a goal in a draw and a defeat against Colombia. The last time that they played was back in 2007 when they played out a 0-0 draw. There is more history against them, because they have failed to win any of their three previous matches against teams from South America at the World Cup (D1 L2). With just the one goal in their last three World Cup matches, which came against the Ivory Coast in their opening match at Brazil 2014, they are struggling. Again, that is a big contrast to when the goals were flowing during their tournament build up.
Colombia look to have goals in them, plenty, even without Radamel Falcao. Greece were blown away 3-0 by the Colombians, and then the Ivory Coast couldn’t stop the South Americans in suffering a 2-1 defeat. Colombia are just looking a very well rounded side, touches of flair and real quality throughout their squad. There is good depth there too. Colombia have a good goal difference going on as they are plus four over the second placed Ivory Coast, so that is the gap that the Africans would need to make up to catch them.
Naturally Colombia are going to pushing hard to keep momentum and confidence high, and already this is the first World Cup in which they have won more than once. James Rodriguez has momentum too, becoming just the second Colombia to score in consecutive World Cup games, and he is trading at 5/2 in the anytime goalscorer market. Juan Cuadrado has made more assists at a single World Cup than any other Colombian player since 1966 (3). The South Americans won their only previous World Cup match against Asian opponents, beating the UEA 2-0 at the 1990 World Cup.
Japan v Colombia Betting Odds
Colombia 7/5, Japan 2/1, Draw 5/2
There is 0-0 Bore Draw Coverage on all matches at the 2014 World Cup at online betting site Bet365, as well as unlimited places on each way First Goalscorer bets. You can also place a World Cup outright winner bet in-play at any time of the tournament, and if your selection loses on penalties, then you will get a lost stake refunded. New customers can get upto a free £200 bet as a welcome bonus too.
Japan v Colombia Predictions
Would expect Colombia to come through this one relatively comfortably. They have shown more than enough to pick up three points against a Japan side who are struggling offensively against quality opposition. Colombia are good enough to see it out with a clean sheet as well and a good two goal margin.
