Japan vs Croatia Prediction & Best Bet for 2022 World Cup (Japan's Luck Runs Out Against Experienced Croatians)

Japan vs Croatia Match Info

2022 FIFA World Cup — Round of 16
Japan (2-0-1) vs. Croatia (1-2-0)
Date: Monday, Dec. 5, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium — Al Wakrah, Qatar
Coverage: FOX

The 2022 FIFA World Cup has reached the knockout stage with some exciting matchups slated for Monday, Dec. 5, including a showdown between Japan and Croatia at 10 a.m. ET.

Japan is feeling on top of the world after closing out the group stage with a 2-1 win over Spain on Thursday. Meanwhile, Croatia enters the Round of 16 looking to get back to its winning ways after playing Belgium to a 0-0 draw.

Can Japan advance to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the country's history? Or will Croatia demolition that dream in pursuit of its second consecutive finals appearance?

Japan vs Croatia Odds & Spread

All World Cup betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: JPN: (+280) | CRO: (+110) | Draw (+210)
Spread: JPN: +1 (-145) | CRO: -1 (+320)
Total: 2.5 – Over: (+136) | Under: (-166)
Team to Score the First Goal: JPN: (+145) | CRO: (-140) I NO GOALS: (+700)

Croatia enters this contest as the slight favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 10 a.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 2.5 goals with the under being favored at -166 odds.

Japan vs Croatia Prediction & Pick

Out of the two teams, Japan is the more surprising club to be here after coming from a group with both Germany and Spain. Having said that, while Japan's victory over the Germans was impressive, the win against the Spanish was less so due to the latter taking their feet off the gas pedal in the second half.

Japan also doesn't have the international experience that Croatia boasts on the international stage. The Croats have a veteran team that was the runner-up four years ago whereas Japan has never made it beyond the Round of 16.

Expect the proven Croatian players to exploit the Japanese's lack of experience en route to the quarterfinals.

Final Score Prediction: Croatia: 1 | Japan: 0

Japan vs Croatia Betting Trends

- Japan defeated Spain, 2-1, in its last 2022 World Cup match on Dec. 1, 2022.
- Croatia played Belgium to a 0-0 draw in its last 2022 World Cup match on Dec. 1, 2022.
- Japan is 2-1-2 (W-D-L) in its last five matches.
- Croatia is 3-2-0 (W-D-L) in its last five matches.
- Croatia is 1-1-0 (W-D-L) in its only two head-to-head matchups against Japan.

Japan vs Croatia Best Bet

While Japan and Croatia have only met twice in the past, both encounters were of the low-scoring variety. Croatia escaped with a 1-0 victory in the first matchup back at the 1998 World Cup before playing to a 0-0 draw with Japan eight years later.

Considering how both sides heavily rely on their respective defenses, I predict another low-scoring affair on the way. Back the total going under 2.5 goals for this Round of 16 tilt.

Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (-166)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.