Italy v Japan Betting Odds, Preview and Predictions – Confederations Cup

Italy v Japan Betting Preview
The Italians can book themselves a spot in the semi finals of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup if they can back up their opening win over Mexico. The Italians look to be in pretty good shape and form as they take on a different challenge this time around. That of the industrious Japan side. With the Blue Samurai falling at the hands of Brazil on the opening day of the tournament, they need to get something on the board to keep their hopes of progressing alive.

Italy v Japan Betting Odds at online bookmaker Unibet
Italy 4/6, Draw 13/5, Japan 9/2

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Italy v Japan Recommended Bet:
The Italians certainly produced enough quality in their opening fixture against Mexico to suggest that they won’t have too many difficulties in this. A superb free kick from Andrea Pirlo and a winner from Mario Balotelli after conceding an equalising penalty, gave Italy the three points. All in all, a pretty solid start. The Italians are only at the tournament courtesy of Spain being European and World Champions, and their own finish as runners up at Euro 2012. Cesare Prandelli have the Italians going in the right direction, an adventurous, high pressing side. There is a good young front line and the experienced hand of Pirlo pulling all of the midfield playmaking strings. There is a great balance and they really could pull of a big surprise in this tournament.

Gaining an advantage again here will mean that they will keep themselves in the running with Brazil to top the group. The importance of that will likely mean avoiding Spain in the semi finals. So Italy need to come out and play and should be comfortable against the Japanese. As hard working as Japan were and as technically good as they were in the final third against Brazil, there was still a void in quality. They don’t look as if they will finish off a lot of chances and score hatfuls of goals, and there were spaces to be exploited at the back as well. Indeed, their form heading into the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup wasn’t great in itself, despite becoming the first side to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. They don’t get to test themselves too often against high quality sides like this. They’ll likely be out of their depth again at the end of the day.

Italy are likely to have the composure and quality to see of Japan at the end of the day. Italy look a confident side and should dictate the game. An Italy/Italy Half Time/Full Time bet for a price of 5/4 with online bookmake Unibet looks a decent enough value to warrant a wager.

In the Italy v Japan head to head, there has only been one previous meeting between the two nations, and that ended in a 1-1 draw. That was an international friendly all the way back in 2001 in Saitama, Japan.

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Form
Italy DWWDDW, Japan WLLDWL