Japan and Brazil will meet in a high-profile international friendly in Singapore on Saturday less than five months on from locking horns in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Brazil prevailed in dramatic fashion in their round of 32 clash in North America, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a 95th-minute winner to seal a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph.
That was where the success ended for the five-time world champions, as they were knocked out by Norway in the round of 16.
Meanwhile Japan, who had impressed during the group stages and were being touted as dark horses, may feel they have a score to settle against the Selecao at the National Stadium in Kallang this weekend.
This friendly is part of the inaugural Mizuho Blue Challenge - The Kallang Football Series, which also includes Singapore, whom Brazil will face on Tuesday, and Paraguay, whom Japan will meet on the same day.
Japan v Brazil Tips Summary
Best Bet - Japan to win @ 27/10
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score @ 21/20
Bet Builder - Japan or draw double chance, Daichi Kamada anytime scorer & Raphinha anytime scorer @ 35/1
Japan v Brazil Prediction
Best Bet: Japan to win @ 27/10
Brazil are in a period of transition following their underwhelming performance at the World Cup, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti admitting for the next 12 months or so he will be experimenting with youth as he builds towards the 2028 Copa America.
That means experienced players such as Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, captain Marquinhos and vice-skipper Casemiro have been left out of the squad, with six uncapped players included, most notably Manchester City winger Allan.
Of the 25-man squad Ancelotti has named, 15 are aged 23 or under while only three players, Bruno Guimaraes, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, have earned more than 24 caps.
Japan, by contrast, have named a strong squad packed full of experience and they will be seeking revenge after their World Cup exit in Houston at the end of June.
Samurai Blue deservedly led in that match through Kaishu Sano and were unfortunate not to take the game to extra time, so belief should be strong.
Hajime Moriyasu's side also have recent memories of beating Brazil, claiming a 3-2 friendly success in Tokyo 13 months ago, a match where they had trailed 2-0 before producing a stunning comeback.
Japan have picked up three wins and a draw since their World Cup exit, including beating South American pair Uruguay and Venezuela, and with a more experienced squad that is used to playing together, they appear overpriced to gain revenge for their Houston heartbreak.
Alternative Bet: Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score @ 21/20
Goals should be expected in Kallang, with both teams scoring in three of the last four meetings, while over 2.5 goals would have been a winning bet in eight of the last nine head-to-heads.
Both teams have scored in a match featuring at least three goals in four of Japan's last five games, including their World Cup exit at the hands of Brazil, while Samurai Blue have scored in 14 of their last 15 internationals.
Brazil have netted eight goals in their last two games against Australia and India and have scored in 16 internationals on the spin.
However, they have kept just five clean sheets during that period and head into this match with an inexperienced defence and with the three goalkeepers in their squad having won only eight caps combined.
Japan v Brazil Bet Builder Tip
Japan or draw double chance
Daichi Kamada anytime scorer
Raphinha anytime scorer
Pays 35/1
Japan look the value play to win this game but it may prove sensible to side with the record four-time Asian Cup winners in the double chance market as part of this bet builder.
Daichi Kamada could play a key role in any potential Japan success.
The Crystal Palace midfielder is not known for his goalscoring at club level, but he tends to operate in a more advanced role for his country and has a more than respectable 14 international goals to his name.
Kamada was twice a scorer for Japan at the World Cup, netting in the group-stage games against the Netherlands and Tunisia, and it is fair to say his attacking threat at club level has also improved this season.
The 30-year-old had only scored three goals in his first two seasons with Palace, but he has four in 16 games so far this term and could take that scoring form back onto the international stage.
At the other end, there is no doubting the form of Brazil forward Raphinha, who has 20 goals in 16 appearances for club and country this season. Even in a potential defeat the Barcelona star looks capable of adding to that total.
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Key Match Stats
Brazil knocked Japan out of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 success in the round of 32
The Selecao have won seven of their last eight meetings with Japan
Samurai Blue were 3-2 winners when the teams last met in a friendly in October 2025
Japan have scored in 14 of their last 15 internationals
Brazil have netted in 16 successive matches but have kept just five clean sheets during that time
Raphinha has scored 20 goals in 16 appearances for club and country this season
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
