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WORLD CUP 2026 · Friday, 26 June 2026 at 00:00 BST
Japan
vs
Sweden

Match preview

Japan edge it on ratings AND form has been the better of the two going in.

52%
Japan
20%
Draw
28%
Sweden
Model fair odds
Japan
1.92
Draw
5.00
Sweden
3.57

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

Japan
52%
Draw
20%
Sweden
28%
Elo rating: 1860 vs 1810 (+50)
Recent form: WWWWW vs DLWWD
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 52% / 20% / 28%
Most likely scores
Japan 1–0 (13%)
Draw 1–1 (11%)
Japan 2–0 (11%)
Japan 2–1 (10%)
Why Japan are favourites (52%)
  • Japan carry the higher Elo rating (+50 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • Japan unbeaten and winning in their last five (5W)
  • Sweden mixed recent form (2W 2D 1L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 52% / 20% / 28% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

Japan should shade possession but the gap is small enough that midfield control will decide territory. With little between the sides on ratings, a set piece or an individual moment is the most likely difference — expect a competitive game where the first goal heavily shapes what follows.

Expected goals: Japan 1.7 · Sweden 0.9

Quick stats

MetricJapanSweden
Elo rating18601810
Last 5 record5W2W 2D 1L
Goals last 5810
Goals conceded last 509
Clean sheets last 550

Japan — last 5

  • Wv Iceland10
  • W@ England10
  • W@ Scotland10
  • Wv Bolivia30
  • Wv Ghana20

Sweden — last 5

  • Dv Greece22
  • L@ Norway13
  • Wv Poland32
  • W@ Ukraine31
  • Dv Slovenia11

Head to head

No recent meetings on record between these sides.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.