Belgium v Japan tips: The Red Devils to down the Samurais?
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It was a game billed as the match no-one wanted to win, but Adnan Januzaj’s shimmy and fierce-shot into the roof of Jordan Pickford’s net meant Belgium did triumph last time out against England.
After all was said and done, it means Belgium take on Japan in the last-16 with the incentive of a quarter-final against Brazil or Mexico.
Japan finished second in Group H behind Colombia, after earning four points from their three games.
The pair have had five previous meetings dating back to 1999. They shared the spoils 2-2 in the 2002 World Cup group stage.
More recently Japan won 3-2 in 2013 but Belgium got revenge with a 1-0 win in 2017.
They do like goals in this match-up, with both teams to find the net at 21/20. BTTS and over 3.5 goals is 16/5.
Belgium are 1/6 to qualify. Meanwhile, it’s 17/4 for Japan to make the last-eight.
Roberto Martinez’s men are 4/11 to win 90 minutes. The Samurai Blue are 8/1 for the victory.
The draw is 15/4.
Romelu Lukaku may have been rested for the England game, but he’s 14/5 to open the scoring.
The Manchester United forward is 7/2 to score two or more.
Dries Mertens should start this one and he’s 9/5 to notch Anytime.
Japan squeezed through the group-stage on fair play but have looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
Yuya Osako is 100/30 to grab a goal Anytime. Team-mate Keisuke Honda is 7/2 to do likewise.
If the groups were anything to go by then Belgium should ease through.
But Japan have defied expectations already and can draw inspiration from Russia’s performance against Spain.
Last weekend we saw a few edgy ties go the distance. This one to go all the way to penalty kicks with Belgium to win is 12/1. The Samurai Blue are 14/1 to triumph from the spot.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
