2018 World Cup Betting Prediction: Belgium vs. Japan Odds
Belgium and Japan are both in the Round of 16 – but that’s about where their similarities end as they square off Monday in Rostov-on-Don with a berth in the World Cup quarterfinals at stake. The Belgians put together an incredible showing in group play, winning all three of their matches while outscoring the opposition 9-2 to become one of the favourites to win it all. The Japanese had a much tougher time of it, qualifying ahead of Senegal thanks to having fewer yellow cards.
World Cup 2018: Belgium vs. Japan Odds and Betting Analysis
World Cup Moneyline: Belgium -341
Date: Monday, July 2, 2 p.m. ET
Oddsmakers consider this match the most one-sided of the eight first-round elimination games – and it’s hard to argue with that. The Belgians were dominant at both ends of the pitch, led by Romelu Lukaku and his four goals in two games; Belgium rolled to three-goal victories over Panama and Algeria, then beat England 1-0 in a game neither team seemed particularly interested in winning. That run puts Belgium at +630 to win its first World Cup title.
Japan, on the other hand, has the worst odds of any team remaining at +15,400 after squeaking past Senegal in a bizarre fair play tiebreaker. The Japanese team scored as many goals as it allowed in group play, and its only win – a 2-1 group-opening triumph over Colombia – came thanks in large part to Carlos Sanchez picking up a sixth-minute red card that led not only to a shorthanded situation, but to a penalty kick that Shinji Kagawa promptly converted.
Belgium
The Belgians are ripe with betting potential as they enter the Round of 16 with the third-best odds of winning the tournament. Lukaku, who sat out the victory over England but should be good to go Monday, sits one goal back of Harry Kane for the World Cup lead and will likely be a popular play at -109 to score; you can maximize your return by taking him at +308 to open the scoring. Eden Hazard, who has two goals, is also a strong play at +128 to convert.
Japan
There’s a nice irony in Japan reaching the elimination stage on the virtue of having committed a tournament-low 28 fouls through three games. Belgium’s discipline will play a major role in whether the Japanese team can avoid being blanked, a scenario that pays out at -154. The Belgians committed 43 fouls, and have five players who must avoid a yellow card; if Japan can generate a few solid scoring chances, they might meet less resistance – or get fouled in the box.
Belgium vs. Japan Prediction
Belgium 3, Japan 0: The Belgians are the far superior team, and that chasm will be on full display in a game that shouldn’t be all that close. Japan isn’t physical enough to contain Lukaku, who could be in for another multi-goal game.