Tunisia face Japan in their second match of Group F in what is a vital game for both nations.
The North Africans suffered a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Sweden, a result that saw them sack head coach Sabri Lamouchi with Herve Renard taking charge.
The chances of the Eagles of Carthage making it through to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time rely on Renard making an immediate impact and securing three points against Japan.
Samurai Blue twice battled back against the Netherlands, ultimately snatching a point thanks to Daichi Kamada's 89th-minute equaliser.
A win against Tunisia should be more than enough to seal a passage into the last 32, although head coach Hajime Moriyasu will be looking for his side to also boost their goal difference.
Tunisia v Japan Tips Summary
Best Bet - Japan to win @ 8/15
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Ayase Ueda to score anytime, Both teams to score & Ali Abdi to commit 1+ foul @ 11/2
Tunisia v Japan Prediction
Best Bet: Japan to win @ 8/15
Since making their World Cup debut at the 1998 finals in France, Japan are now into their eighth consecutive appearance this summer.
Samurai Blue have reached the last 16 on just four occasions though, while they have never made it to the quarter-finals.
Will this change over the next few weeks? Perhaps not at their best against the Dutch, Moriyasu’s side battled hard right until the end and were rewarded with what looked like an unlikely point at one stage.
These two nations have played each other on four occasions since the turn of the century, with Japan winning three and losing one. One of those victories came at the 2002 World Cup.
With a tricky tie against Sweden awaiting Japan, defeating a Tunisia side in crisis is vital should they wish to make it through to the knockout stages and the Asian nation should chalk up their first win of this tournament.
Alternative Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10
Group F proved to be the most prolific group in terms of goals in the opening round. Indeed, 10 goals were scored across the opening two matches and there looks to be more in the offing in this clash.
Tunisia have conceded 10 goals in their last two matches and that should give Japan plenty of confidence in achieving a high-scoring win.
Half of Japan’s last eight fixtures have featured at least three goals and, while the three friendlies ahead of the World Cup finished 1-0 in their favour, they did include a win at Wembley.
Moriyasu’s side, who beat Brazil 3-2 in October, demonstrated their attacking abilities against the Dutch, yet struggled defensively at times.
That perhaps offers the chance of a Tunisia consolation, which can only help push the goal tally up.
Tunisia v Japan Bet Builder Tip
- Both teams to score
- Ayase Ueda to score anytime
- Ali Abdi to commit 1+ foul
Pays 11/2
While Tunisia were hammered in their opener, they still managed to get on the scoresheet and are fighting to remain in the tournament, with Renard likely to make a positive impact in the dugout.
In Qatar four years ago, the Eagles of Carthage stunned France in the final group game, sealing a 1-0 win over the eventual finalists.
Tunisia have the quality to cause plenty of problems and Japan must be wary of this threat, particularly having conceded twice in their opener.
Ayase Ueda didn’t sparkle against the Dutch, registering a solitary shot during the game, but he should have a few more chances to score his first World Cup goal against Tunisia.
He has scored against the might of both Germany and Brazil, while he has the confidence of netting 26 goals in just 40 games for Feyenoord last season.
Japan are more likely to have longer periods of dominance against Tunisia and Ueda can get on the scoresheet against a more fragile rearguard.
Left-back Ali Abdi was given the run around by a vibrant Sweden attacking frontline, as Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak scored three goals combined.
Abdi committed three fouls in the opener and he isn’t going to have an easy time of things when lining up against Japan.
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Key Match Stats
- Japan conceded for the first time in six games in their opener against the Netherlands
- Tunisia have won just three of their 19 World Cup matches
- Japan have never reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup across eight tournaments
- Tunisia registered just two shots on target during the 5-1 defeat to Sweden
- Ayase Ueda has scored 16 goals in 40 appearances for Japan
- Japan defeated Tunisia 2-0 in their only previous World Cup meeting
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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.
