Japan vs Uruguay
International Friendlies
Date: Tuesday, 16 October 2018
Kick-Off at 11:35 UK / 12:35 CET
Venue: Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama).
Japan have secured back to back 3-0 wins, as they look to pick up their form following the World Cup. Their exit to Belgium was one of the most thrilling matches in the competition, while their group stage form was a real highlight. However, will they be able to keep up their winning run when they host Uruguay this week? The South Americans are building towards the next Copa America, and are holding a mini-tour of Asia, following Friday’s meeting with South Korea.
Japan claimed a 3-0 victory over Panama on Friday, and now they’re trading opponents with South Korea. They have a tricky encounter here with the Uruguayans, who had a pretty solid time in Russia. Meanwhile, Japan must have sensed a missed opportunity, after their 2-0 lead over Belgium turned into a 3-2 defeat. The focus for them will now be building towards Qatar four years from now, and they have clearly got an eye on that, given their latest team selection.
The hosts have a young side selected here, with some experimental names making the cut. Shinji Kagawa, Takashi Inui, Shinji Okazaki and Yoshinori Muto are all not featuring in this squad. The Japanese are looking to youth as they try to freshen things up, but that leaves them without talented players and a lot of experience. Given that this is a huge step up on their post-World Cup tests so far, it’s got to be worrying that they’re without real pillars of their squad for this encounter.
Uruguay are missing Luis Suarez, but where possible they are at their best. They’ll be looking to make an impact in this encounter, given that their recent friendly form isn’t great. However, their opponents have offered up an opportunity for Uruguay to pick up a victory, as they try to build up steam for next summer’s Copa America in Brazil. The competition will feature Japan among the two invited guests, so in a way this is a great chance for Uruguay to get a jump-start for the tournament.
We’re backing Uruguay to take advantage of the hosts’ inexperience, and we think the away side are great value to get the win, when you contrast their squads. We’re tipping Uruguay to claim a fourth straight win over Japan, and we’re also backing a 2-1 victory for the South American side.
Japan vs Uruguay: Head-to-head
The two teams will take on each other for the fourth time in a friendly this Tuesday.
All of past three friendlies (in 2008, 2013 and 2014) took place on the Japanese soil and they were all won by Uruguay.
La Celeste bagged an impressive nine-goal tally along.
Japan vs Uruguay: Prediction
We have reasons to expect a high-scoring contest here. The hosts bagged three goals past defensive-minded Panama and they will be in position to hurt Uruguay’s Gimenez-free back line. La Celeste allowed two goals against Korea Republic and we can’t see them keep a clean sheet against Samurai Blue under these circumstances at Saitama Stadium 2002.
Tabarez has a deadly attacking line-up with Cavani and Stuani and it’s almost impossible to imagine Japanese side keeping things tight at the back. This is why backing goals at both ends just has to be the way to go here. You can go for it at the odds of 1.90.
Over 2.5 goals FT is priced up at 2.10 and is well worth backing as well based on everything written above.
JAPAN VS URUGUAY STATS
Uruguay have scored in their last three meetings with Japan.
The visitors have scored in all but one of their previous 11 internationals.
Japan have seen over 2.5 goals in four of their last five matches.