Match preview
Japan edge it on ratings AND form has been the better of the two over the last five.
Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.
Why Japan are favourites (49%)
- Japan carry the higher Elo rating (+68 points)
- Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
- Japan mixed recent form (2W 2D 1L)
- Sweden mixed recent form (1W 2D 2L)
- Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)
These factors combine to produce the 49% / 21% / 30% 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 1.6 · Sweden 1
Quick stats
Japan — last 5
- L@ Brazil1–2
- Dv Sweden1–1
- W@ Tunisia4–0
- D@ Netherlands2–2
- Wv Iceland1–0
Sweden — last 5
- L@ France0–3
- D@ Japan1–1
- L@ Netherlands1–5
- Wv Tunisia5–1
- Dv Greece2–2
Head to head
Confirmed lineups
- 1Z. Suzuki G
- 20A. Seko D
- 4K. Itakura D
- 21H. Ito D
- 2Y. Sugawara M
- 7A. Tanaka M
- 15D. Kamada M
- 13K. Nakamura M
- 10R. Doan F
- 11D. Maeda F
- 18A. Ueda F
- 1J. Widell Zetterstrom G
- 2G. Lagerbielke D
- 4I. Hien D
- 5G. Gudmundsson D
- 21A. Bernhardsson M
- 3V. Lindelof M
- 18Y. Ayari M
- 24E. Stroud M
- 11A. Elanga F
- 17V. Gyökeres F
- 9A. Isak F
Key matchups
Japan's focal point in attack against the heart of Sweden's defence.
The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.
Sweden's main outlet — how Japan's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.
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.