Betting tips for Germany vs Japan: World Cup preview and odds
Germany are playing their first World Cup match against Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday at 1pm GMT. Germany were eliminated from the group stage four years ago. They have matches against Spain and Costa Rica on the horizon.
Germany vs Japan is a World Cup match.
Germany and Japan had opposite 2018 World Cup campaigns. Japan advanced to the knockout stages on goal difference, but they were beaten 3-2 by Belgium in the last 16. Joachim Low's Germany lost to England in European Championship. Hansi Flick will lead Germany in Qatar. Germany are aiming to equal Brazil's record of five World Cups.
Germany and Japan are playing in the World Cup. Japan won 15 of their 18 matches in qualifying. Germany scored 58 goals in that time. The Japanese have scored six in their past four games.
Jamal Musiala is expected to play a key role for Germany against Japan. He has been in fine form for Bayern Munich this season, scoring nine goals and assisting six more. His 15 goals involvements are the most of any teenager in Europe's top five leagues.
Niclas Fullkrug has recovered from illness and is available for selection. Antonio Rudiger and Thomas Muller returned to full training over the weekend and should start.
Germany predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Neuer, Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Raum, Kimmich, Gundogan, Hofmann, Musiala, Gnabry.
Karou Mitoma and Wataru Endo are both fit to play for Japan in their first match of the World Cup. Takehiro Tomiyasu should recover from a muscular problem in time to start in this all-important opening clash.
Japan predicted line-up (4-3-2): Gonda, Sakai, Tomiyasu, Yoshida, Nagatomo, Morita, Endo, Kamada, Ito and Minamino.
16 November FRI Oman 0 Germany 1 W. 26 September NL England 3 Germany 3 D. 23 September Germany 0 Hungary 1 L. 14 June NL Germany 5 Italy 2 W and 11 June Hungary 0 D Germany.
17 November Japan play Canada. 27 September Japan beat Ecuador. 23 September USA beat Japan 2-0. EAC Japan won the EAFI ECCAF Championship on July 24.
