Japan Tipped to Bounce Back Against Brazil

Olympic Action Continues on Sunday

The second matchday of the women’s Olympic soccer tournament is on Sunday and it features a match between Brazil and Japan. Brazil snagged a 1-0 win over Nigeria on Thursday but picked up a few injuries in the process.

Meanwhile, Japan fell 2-1 to Women’s World Cup winners Spain and are looking for a bounce back on Sunday. As we gear up for this Brazil vs Japan women’s soccer match, we’ll check out the team news, odds and trends.

Brazil vs Japan Head-to-Head

Heading into this Olympic Brazil vs Japan women’s soccer game, Japan remain the only team which Brazil have a neutral record against.

The all-time series is tied at six wins apiece, with four draws. Notably, Brazil have lost only one of the last four matches between the sides. They last met in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup Third Place Game. Following a 1-1 draw, Brazil won 3-0 in penalties.

This is just their third meeting on the Olympic soccer schedule. Japan defeated Brazil 2-0 in the London 2012 Quarter-Final and Brazil beat Japan by the same scoreline in 1996.

Injuries Cloud Brazil’s Winning Start

In their first Group C game, Brazil took on Nigeria in Bordeaux. Brazilian legend Marta, who is retiring from international football after the Olympics, appeared to open up the scoring. There was an offside just prior to her goal but she managed to provide an assist minutes later.

Marta found Gabi Nunes with a clever through ball and Nunes smashed a shot against the crossbar and into the net. That was the game’s only goal in a difficult match for Brazil. Both Yaya and Tamires had to leave the match early due to injuries and it’s unclear whether either will be able to suit up on Sunday.

Brazil have only lost one match in 2024 and are 8-2-1 in this calendar year. They currently sit at +1600 Olympic soccer betting odds to win their first gold medal. It’d be a fairytale ending to Marta’s career but they have a long way to go.

Plus, with a match against Spain looming, Brazil need to pick up a result here to ensure they go through to the Quarter-Finals. Bettors should note that Brazil have never been eliminated in the group stage in their Olympic history.

Clinical Finishing Paramount for Japan

Japan opened up the women’s Olympic soccer tournament against Spain. On Thursday, Japan tried to employ a similar gameplan to the one they flawlessly executed against Spain in a 4-0 win in the last World Cup. Japan absorbed pressure and looked to hit Spain on the counter attack when they did get the ball.

Just 13 minutes in, Japan took the lead on a brilliantly taken free kick from Aoba Fujino. However, Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Aitana Bonmati equalized for Spain soon after. In the second half, Mariona Caldentey beat Japan keeper Ayaka Yamashita to hand Spain a 2-1 victory. This time around, Japan weren’t as clinical and Spain were simply better with the ball.

Now, Japan will go back to the drawing board as they look to remain in the competition. Japan did outshoot Brazil 15-8 in April. Futoshi Ikeda will be confident his team can break Brazil down but they’ll have to be more clinical with their chances.

Japan have been one of the more consistent soccer bets in Olympic history. They’ve made the knockout stage in their last four appearances at the competition. However, they’ve conceded a goal in six of their last eight games, in all competitions, and are vulnerable on set pieces.

Brazil vs Japan Match Analysis & Odds

Brazil opened as +210 underdogs but the best price on them is now +175. The last time Japan lost two consecutive games in the Olympic group stage was on their debut, in 1996, when they lost to Brazil.

The best price on Japan here is +163 and they’ll be motivated to keep themselves alive in what should be a hard-fought match. Currently, the Brazil vs Japan women’s soccer odds price a draw at +225 and it wouldn’t be a terrible result for either team.

Still, expect Japan to come out of the shell they were in against Spain and try to take the game to Brazil. Brazil’s defense held up against Nigeria but we’re not confident they can stop Japan from scoring. Japan have found the net in the last three meetings but the Brazil vs Japan women’s soccer odds list under 2.5 goals at -125.

Meanwhile, bettors can take Brazil pk, +0.5 at -154 and Japan pk, -0.5 at +120.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

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• Women’s World Cup Winners Spain Thinking Gold
• Uzbekistan Make Olympic Soccer Debut Against Spain
• Argentina vs Morocco Kicks off Paris 2024
• France, Argentina, Spain Lead Men’s Olympic Field

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