Japan vs Costa Rica Prediction & Odds – 2022 World Cup: Who Will Win?

💯 Japan vs Costa Rica Betting Odds

OK, we hear you ask, but what are the best football betting markets associated with Japan vs Costa Rica? Here are a few to keep in mind, along with the latest, real-time football world cup 2022 odds!

🏅 Japan vs Costa Rica: Match Winner Odds

The best 2022 Japan vs Costa Rica World Cup betting odds available from the top Irish betting sites.

Japan to Win	2.14	2.20	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	2.15
Costa Rica to Win	3.64	3.60	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	3.50
Draw	3.05	3.25	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	3.20

⚽ Japan vs Costa Rica: Both Teams to Score Odds

Yes	2.17	2.08	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	2.20
No	1.70	1.72	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	1.61

🥅 Japan vs Costa Rica: Over/Under 2.5 Goals Odds

Over 2.5 Goals	2.50	2.40	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	2.50
Under 2.5 Goals	1.52	1.50	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	1.50

🏠 Japan World Cup Preview

While Japan’s shocking win over Germany was largely unexpected, we should note that they remain the second-best AFC side according to FIFA’s most recent rankings and are currently ranked 24th in the world overall.

They’ve also been in solid form throughout 2022 to date, losing just two of the 11 matches that they contested so far prior to the beginning of the World Cup.

This sequence included an impressive run to the final of the Kirin Challenge Cup, with impressive victories over Paraguay and Ghana (both 4-1) preceding a 3-0 defeat in the final against North African side Tunisia.

More recently than this, Japan recorded a very impressive 3-0 win over fellow WC qualifiers South Korea in Toyota, while the team’s confidence will have increased further still after coming back with two second half goals agianst an increasingly ragged German side.

🏆 Japan World Cup History

2022 has seen Japan make their seventh consecutive World Cup finals appearance since 1998, with the AFC nation having reached the round of 16 stage in 2002 (when they were co-hosts), 2010 and 2018.

These relatively successful campaigns have alternated with three group stage exits (1998, 2006 and 2014, in which the side failed to win any of their matches.

However, the county performed with particular distinction in the 2018 Russia World Cup, threatening to knock out the top-ranked team Belgium in the second round only to fall agonisingly short. In a thrilling encounter in Rostov-on-Don, Japan led 2-0 after 52 minutes, only for the Red Devils to score three times in the final 21 minutes to prevail in stoppage time.

Prior to making their debut in 1998, however, Japan had never made a WC finals appearance. This run included the 1950 tournament, when the nation was suspended following its perceived role as German allies in the Second World War.

✔️ Japan Qualification and Road to the World Cup 2022

As one of the top ranked Asian teams, Japan received an automatic bye into the second round of AFC qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

They subsequently won all eight of their qualification matches during the second round, plundering 46 goals (including 24 in just two incredible matches against Mongolia and Myanmar) and conceding only two as they sailed into the third and final round of games.

The nation then sealed their place in Qatar by winning seven of their 10 group matches during the third round, finishing second to Saudi Arabia while maintaining a seven-point gap ahead of Australia in third.

⭐ Japan Players to Watch

Next up, we’re going to take a look at some of the best players currently representing Japan on the world stage. Here’s our pick of the top three!

• Takumi Minamino: We’ll start with the livewire forward Takumi Minamino, who’s best known globally for his spell at Liverpool (where he managed to score 14 goals in 55 matches despite often appearing from the sub’s bench). He has also struck 17 goals in 42 international appearances, an impressive nine of which came during 2022 World Cup qualifying alone. Blessed with a low centre of gravity that aids his dribbling skills and sharp movement, he’s Japan’s main attacking threat and sure to cause opposing defender’s considerable difficulty in Qatar. While he started on the bench against Germany, he arrived late on to alter the game and provided the assist for Japan’s opener.
• Ritsu Dōan: Energetic midfielder Ritsu Dōan also changed the game against Germany from the bench, scoring the equalising goal after Minamino’s strike was parried into the danger area. His performance may secure him a start against Costa Rica, as he looked to add further to his haul of four international goals in 30 appearances. He also has 42 club career goals in 213 matches from a wide midfield position, while representing clubs in Japan, the Netherlands and Germany (he currently plays for Bundesliga side SC Freiburg).
• Takehiro Tomiyasu: Lastly, we come to Arsenal’s versatile and accomplished defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who looks equally comfortable whether playing at right back or in his preferred position of centre half. Since making his debut on October 12th, 2018 during a 3-0 victory over Panama, Tomiyasu has won 28 international caps and scored a single goal, while establishing himself a focal point of his country’s back line. He’ll be key to the side’s chances of success in Qatar, especially when you consider the strength of Group E.

📰 Latest Japan World Cup News

✈️ Costa Rica World Cup Preview

Costa Rica arrived at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar as one of the lowest-ranked teams, as while they’re the third best side in the CONCACAF region according to FIFA, they’re otherwise ranked 34th in the world.

However, the side had at least enjoyed a relatively fruitful 2022 to date, winning nine and losing just one of their 12 matches played during the calendar year prior to the start of the WC.

This included a sequence of five wins a draw in their final six CONCACAF WC qualification matches, which helped to secure Costa Rica a final shot at glory through the Inter-confederation play-off against New Zealand (which they subsequently took full advantage of).

However, Costa Rica were desperately poor in their 7-0 thumping by an admittedly brilliant Spain side in the World Cup opener, during which they had just 17% possession and failed to manage a single effort on goal. So, their performance levels will need to improve markedly if they’re to overcome a confident and technically proficient Japan side.

🏆 Costa Rica World Cup History

The 2022 World Cup has marked Costa Rica’s sixth finals’ appearance, the first of which came in Italia ’90. In the 60 years prior to this, the country was either ineligible to participate or simply failed to qualify.

Interestingly, the nation won its first ever World Cup game in Italy, beating Scotland 1-0 in Genoa. A subsequent win in the final group match against Sweden secured Costa Rica a place in the round of 16, although the team was subsequently eliminated following a 4-1 defeat to Czechoslovakia.

The nation subsequently missed out in 1994 and 1998, while two group stage exits followed in 2002 and 2006 (during which Costa Rica won one and lost four of their six matches). After missing out again in 2010, Costa Rica enjoyed their best ever finals in Brazil 2014, qualifying from a group containing England and Italy before ultimately losing in the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to the Netherlands.

A familiar group stage exit followed last time out, quelling any momentum they may have had on the world scene, while the defeat to Spain confirmed Costa Rica’s heaviest ever WC defeat.

✔️ Costa Rica Qualification and Road to the World Cup 2022

As the third-best CONCACAF team by FIFA’s rankings, Costa Rica earned an automatic bye into the third and final round of World Cup qualifying ahead of Qatar 2022.

However, the country struggled to find their best form during the 14 subsequent group matches, eventually finishing fourth on goal difference from the United States. This left them outside of the automatic CONCACAF qualification places, forcing them to play AFC representative New Zealand in a one-off, Inter-confederation play-off on June 14th.

Fittingly, the match was hosted in Qatar, will Joel Campbell’s third-minute goal setting a tense affair and ensuring that Costa Rica became the final side to qualify for the WC.

⭐ Costa Rica Players to Watch

The bulk of the Costa Rican playing squad play in Liga FPD, which is the country’s premier league competition. This means that most of the performers aren’t necessarily household names, so we’ve recommended three that you should watch in Qatar and in the game against Japan.

• Joel Campbell: 30-year-old Joel Campbell is almost a talismanic striker for his country, with several of his 25 international goals (in 117 caps) being highly important. From his equaliser in a 3-1 win over Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup to his decisive goal against New Zealand that secured Costa Rica the final place in Qatar, Campbell has been a star player since his senior debut in 2011. Campbell also scored two other goals during WC qualifiers, which fittingly were important winners against Jamaica and El Salvador. If Costa Rica are to salvage their WC dreams, Campbell will likely play a pivotal role.
• Bryan Ruiz: Despite being 37 years old, captain Bryan Ruiz remains one of Costa Rica’s best and most creative players. Incredibly, this will be Ruiz’s third WC campaign for his country, with the Alajuelense player having played a key role in his country’s run to the quarterfinals in 2014. Ruiz has won an impressive 144 caps for Costa Rica, while his tally of 29 goals makes him the most prolific scorer in the current squad. So, despite his advancing years, Ruiz will most likely remain a significant source of goals in Qatar.
• Brandon Aguilera: We’ll close with the talented 19-year-old midfielder Brandon Aguilera, who made his senior international debut in the 2-0 qualifying win against the USA on March 30th 2022. Since then, Aguilera has amassed five caps in total, while he came off the bench in the 72nd minute of Costa Rica’s humbling defeat against Spain. Blessed with quick feet and an eye for goal, Aguilera could well earn a start in the game against Japan, while he currently plies his trade for Costa Rican First Division side Guanacasteca.

📰 Latest Costa Rica World Cup New

🥇 Japan vs Costa Rica Prediction - Who Will Win?

The odds for this game have altered dramatically since the opening round of fixtures, with Japan winning impressively against a higher ranked Germany side and Costa Rica slumping to one of the heaviest group stage defeats in history against Spain.

These events have also reinforced our conviction that Japan will win comfortably here, which depending on the result in the other Group E match between Spain and Germany, could see Japan seal their place in the round of 16.

However, we’re not expecting Japan to record a significant margin of victory here, although they should have too much quality for an experienced but seemingly limited Costa Rican team.

Our match prediction: Japan to win.

🔍 Our Japan vs Costa Rica Betting Tips?

As we’ve touched on, the odds have changed markedly since the opening round of Group E fixtures, with Japan’s price having shortened significantly.

This means that there’s little value to be had through match or handicap betting, unless you want to place a small, outside bet on Costa Rica winning at 9.00 with LeoVegas Sports.

However, betting on there being under 2.5 goals scored during the game is a viable option, with neither side particularly prolific and Costa Rica unlikely to adopt an expansive playing style given their playing squad and opening game drubbing.

Because of this, we’d also avoid backing both teams to score, with Costa Rica particularly shorn of a goal threat and a prolific striker on the international stage.

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✒️ Lewis Humphries - Sports Journalist, Tipster and Betting Expert

This Japan Vs Costa Rica Prediction was written by Lewis Humphries. Lewis is a business and iGaming copywriter from the UK, who has a passion for sports betting and online casino gaming. He's reviewed some of the world's leading casino platforms, while creating blog posts and landing page content for various sports betting brands.

His content has also featured on a number of different sites, including Life Hack, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance and Business Insider. He also pens regular sports features for sites including 90 Minutes, Think Football Ideas and Sportsblog.