FIFA World Cup: Germany vs. Japan Betting Odds & Recap
Germany's New Era Under Hansi Flick
⚽Germany vs Japan: Game Recap⚽
Results: Germany 1 – 2 Japan
Being a tournament favorite means nothing nowadays, as we have yet another upset! Japan fought back from 1-0 down to emerge 2-1 victors over Germany.
Everyone had Germany as the favorite to win this match. Going into the game, priced at -200, Germany was expected to blow out Japan. However, according to the bookies, Japan was the severe underdog. They were priced at +550, with a draw paying +350. Therefore, congratulations are for those who bet big on Japan.
They will be considered dark horses for the rest of the tournament.
An Ilkay Gundogan penalty gave Germany the lead in what looked like a one-sided affair. However, Japan’s formation change at half-time made all the difference. Japan’s Ritsu Doan slammed home from close range to tie the game before Takuma Asano’s impressive finish gave Japan a victory for the ages.
Despite going ahead early, Germany’s best moment on the pitch came from their protest at the start of the match. Since they were not allowed to wear the One Love armband, they covered their mouths during the team picture. While the gesture was amazing, it’s a shame they could not bring that same energy to the match, especially after the second half.
Germany will hope to get out of the hole they have dug, and Japan will look to keep the momentum going and shock the world.
Did We Get It Right?
Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on November 16, 2022.
Group of Death Opens With Germany vs. Japan
Germany look to put the disappointments of 2018 behind them as they open up Qatar 2022 vs. Japan. Hansi Flick’s side is in the “Group of Death” this time around. In addition to a tough Japan side, they’ve also got Spain and Costa Rica on the schedule. In fact, Germany and Japan have been two of the biggest World Cup mainstays of recent times. Die Mannschaft have played in every World Cup since 1994 and the Samurai Blue are in their seventh straight World Cup. Still, this is the first World Cup meeting between the sides. Let’s take a look at the Germany vs. Japan betting odds and preview what should be an exciting match.
Germany vs. Japan
Date, time (TV):
Location: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Streaming: FS1, Telemundo, Peacock
Team Standings and Odds:
| Team | FIFA World Ranking | World Cup Qualifying Record | Odds to Advance | Odds to Win Group | Odds to Win World Cup |
| Germany | 11 | 9-0-1, 1st UEFA Group J | -1000 | +110 | +1000 |
| Japan | 24 | 7-1-2, 2nd AFC Group B | +320 | +1400 | +25000 |
| All Meetings: | Teams |
|---|---|
| May 2006: | Germany 2-2 Japan |
| Dec 2004: | Japan 0-3 Germany |
Japan and Germany have only met twice, aside from in amateur matches. The most recent meeting was 16 years ago. It finished in a 2-2 draw, while Germany defeated Japan 3-0 in a 2004 friendly. This will be the first time for punters to take Germany vs. Japan betting odds in a competitive match.
Germany’s Uneven Form
- Germany – Upcoming Matches: Nov. 27 vs. Spain, Dec. 1 vs. Costa Rica
The start to Hansi Flick’s tenure as Germany coach was excellent. Germany won their first eight matches under Flick and easily qualified for the World Cup. Since then, their form has been uneven and a bit concerning.
Germany won just one match, drew four and lost one in the recent UEFA Nations League. They failed to keep a shutout in any of their matches and even lost at home to Hungary.
Still, the 2022 FIFA World Cup odds imply that Germany are one of the favorites to win the tournament. Only five other teams have shorter odds as Germany show a +1000 price to win it all. Germany got bad news as both Marco Reus and Timo Werner had to pull out of the squad due to injury.
That means Mario Gotze, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup Final, was called up for the first time in five years. Meanwhile, 17-year old Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko could get some time up front.
Germany’s roster is full of stars like Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller and Ilkay Gundogan. However, there’s still the sense that Flick hasn’t quite put all of the pieces together just yet.
With young talents like Moukoko, Jamal Musiala and Nico Schlotterbeck in the side, it remains to be seen what Germany’s best XI is. In any case, the Germans are expected to go through to the round of 16.
Japan’s Steady Defense
- Japan – Upcoming Matches: Nov. 27 vs. Costa Rica, Dec. 1 vs. Spain
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has set an ambitious goal for his team ahead of the tournament. He wants the Samurai Blue to at least reach the quarterfinals but knows it won’t be easy with games vs. Germany and Spain looming. Moriyasu also left out active leading scorer Yuya Osako and in-form Celtic striker Kyogo Furihashi from his side. With how well Japan’s defense has been playing lately, they could be a sneaky good pick for Qatar World Cup betting.
The last five Japan matches have seen the Samurai Blue keep shutouts and they recently won the East Asian Cup. Japan also defeated the USA 2-0 and drew with Ecuador 0-0 in September.
While Japan doesn’t have a prolific striker, attacking midfielder/winger Takumi Minamino is capable of scoring goals. There are a lot of solid players who play in the top five European leagues on the 26-man roster.
Winger Kaoru Mitoma has been a breakout player for Brighton and Takehiro Tomiyasu has been excellent this soccer season for Arsenal.
Plenty of players are on Bundesliga rosters, including center backs Ko Itakura and Maya Yoshida. Daichi Kamada, Wataru Endo, Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano all play in Germany’s op flight as well. At the very least, they’ll have some familiarity with the German players.
Match Analysis and Odds:
Coming into Wednesday’s match, the Germany vs. Japan betting odds list Germany as one-goal favorites. Germany show -120 odds to cover the spread, while Japan +1 is priced at even odds. Japan have won just two of their previous six World Cup openers and their moneyline is +550. Germany, who lost 1-0 to Mexico to open up the 2018 World Cup, are -200 favorites. Meanwhile, a draw comes in at +360 odds.
It should be noted that Japan’s record vs. UEFA teams in World Cups is rather poor. They narrowly lost to both Belgium and Poland in 2018 and have just two wins in ten World Cup matches vs.
UEFA sides. In the other eight matches, they’ve lost five times and have drawn three times. Even though they lost half of those matches, none of them came by more than a one-goal margin.
Diving deeper into the odds board, the over/under goal total is listed as three goals. The under is implied to be more likely, at -140 odds. Punters can also take the over at +120 odds. It will be an uphill battle for Japan to extend their clean sheet streak to six.
Germany, with players like Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane in attacking areas, are priced at -165 odds to score two or more goals. Japan did manage to hold Brazil to one goal in a June friendly. It’ll be interesting to see if Germany can get just their second win in their last eight matches here.
