Japan Coming off Perfect Group Stage

Expect More Changes to Spain’s XI

On Friday, Japan take on Spain in the second men’s Olympic soccer Quarter-Final. Japan had a perfect group stage, and they’ll be looking for a fourth straight win here. Meanwhile, Spain won their first two matches but suffered an upset loss to Egypt on Tuesday.

The opening Japan vs Spain Olympic soccer odds favor Spain. At Tokyo 2020, Spain ended Japan’s hopes of winning gold on home solid with a 1-0 extra time victory. However, Japan are certainly capable of pulling off an upset here. Stick around for our match preview and odds discussion.

Japan vs Spain Head-to-Head:

This will be the third Japan vs Spain Olympic soccer game in the U23 era. Three years ago, at the postponed Tokyo Olympics, Marco Asensio scored the game’s only goal in the 115th minute to send Spain to the gold medal game at Japan’s expense. Japan did defeat Spain 1-0 in the London 2012 group stage, though.

These sides also met in the 2021 Kirin Challenge Cup, in a match which finished 1-1.

Japan Keep Three Straight Clean Sheets

In one of the more lopsided Summer Olympic sports matches, Japan destroyed Paraguay 5-0 in their opening game. Shunsuke Mito and his replacement Shota Fujio both scored twice against a ten-man Paraguay side. Japan followed it up with narrow 1-0 wins over Mali and Israel to win Group D.

In both matches, Japan successfully thwarted their opponents attacks and scored late goals. Mao Hosoya’s second half stoppage time winner against Israel on Tuesday was particularly clinical.

Leo Kokubo also kept three straight clean sheets in the Japan net while making 11 total saves. They ended up being one of the only two teams, along with hosts France, not to concede a goal. It was a small surprise that Japan won Group D, as they entered the tournament at +250 odds to do so.

After fourth place finishes in both 2012 and 2021, Japan are looking for their first Olympic soccer medal since winning bronze in 1968. Japan have shown resilience to win matches despite starting on the back foot and they have a cohesive squad that can go far.

Spain Looking for Bounce Back

With defender Pau Cubarsi suspended for Tuesday’s match, Spain fell 2-1 against Egypt. The loss dropped Spain down to second place in Group C, setting up this Quarter-Final match against Japan. While the men’s soccer outrights still price Spain at +240 odds to win gold, one of our soccer betting tips is to be cautious with this Spanish side.

Granted, coach Santi Denia made a bunch of changes to the starting XI on Tuesday with Spain’s place in the Quarters already confirmed. Still, Spain conceded goals in all three of their group stage games and failed to cover the goal line in all three as well.

It’s hard to argue Spain aren’t the better side on paper, though. Players like Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Fermin Lopez, Pablo Barrios and Alex Baena have all proven themselves in La Liga. Expect more changes to the lineup by Denia as Spain need to pull things together on Friday.

Spain won the silver medal at Tokyo 2020 and they’re going for their first gold since 1992 at the Paris 2024 olympics .

Japan vs Spain Match Analysis & Odds

Despite Tuesday’s loss, the Japan vs Spain Olympic soccer odds price Spain as -110 favorites to win this Quarter-Final match in 90 minutes. It took extra time to defeat Japan three years ago and this match could be a close one as well.

• Japan show +320 odds to win in normal time, while a draw seems to be more likely, at +225. Japan +0.5 is also at -110 but we see that Japan are +150 underdogs to go through to the Semifinals for a third time in the last four Olympics.
• Meanwhile, bettors can take Spain to qualify at -200. It’s worth noting both of the goals Spain conceded against Egypt were due to defensive mistakes. With a changed backline on Friday, which will presumably include Cubarsi and Garcia in the middle, Spain should look more solid.
• Goals are expected to come at a premium in this match, and none of the three meetings of the 2020s have finished with more than two goals. Under 2.5 goals is at -163 odds, and a “No” on Both Teams to Score sits at -133.

THE QUARTER FINALS IS SET!!!

The Olympics quarter Finals will be FIRE!

🇫🇷France vs Argentina🇦🇷

🇪🇬 Egypt vs Paraguay🇵🇾

🇲🇦 Morocco vs USA🇺🇸

🇯🇵 Japan vs Spain 🇪🇸

We will see the World Cup revenge match!… pic.twitter.com/t12V2SjgVM

— Football Updates (@Futupds) July 30, 2024

The winner of this match will take on either Morocco or the USA in the Semifinals.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Women’s 100m Dash, Sha’Carri Richardson is Back
• Australia vs USA Women’s Soccer: USA off to Dominant Start
• Brazil vs Spain Women’s Soccer: Spain Tipped for Perfect Round
• Women’s Olympic Basketball Update, Team USA Still Looks Golden
• USA Poised to Dominate in Olympic Women’s Gymnastics

Subscribe to get

Thank you for subscribing