There is plenty to be excited about going into Day 4 of the World Cup, with some European heavyweights getting their campaigns underway. Their opponents include some familiar and returning World Cup teams; one of which is back in the competition after 36 years away!
Here is all the important information, tips and odds with Bet9ja for the day’s games.
Group E: Germany vs Japan
Khalifa International Stadium
Wednesday 23rd November, 14:00
Germany come into this World Cup with a score to settle, and while they will expect to get off to a strong start against World Cup regulars Japan, they need to show they can seriously compete for trophies again.
The 2018 World Cup in Russia brought one of Germany’s worst moments as a football nation, as defeats to Mexico and South Korea either side of a win over Sweden left them bottom of their group. It was the first time since 1938 they had failed to make it beyond the opening stage of a World Cup finals.
There wasn’t much more joy for Germany fans at Euro 2020 either, when they were knocked out in the Last 16 by England. They also haven’t achieved much in the Nations League, with their most recent showing resulting in a disappointing third place in their League A group, as they managed just one win from six games.
There is still plenty of reason for optimism though. Hansi Flick’s squad boasts a mix of experience and exciting young talent. Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller are both set to play at their fourth World Cup, while Ilkay Gündogan and Antonio Rüdiger are also senior players with quality. Meanwhile, there are high expectations of 17-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko and 19-year-old Jamal Musiala.
Japan have qualified for a seventh consecutive World Cup, albeit without as many star names as they have had previously, with the likes of Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa no longer involved. Their squad does however include the likes of Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada.
While they will be aiming to reach the knockout stages, as they did in 2002, 2010 and 2018, Japan are in an extremely tough group with Germany and Spain, and come into the tournament having scored just 12 goals in 10 qualifying matches.
Japan have been defending well though, as they only conceded four goals in qualifying and have kept clean sheets in five of their last six matches. While we expect Germany to edge them out, you can get odds of 3.90 on Germany to win and under 2.5 goals with Bet9ja.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Germany win: 1.48, Draw: 4.55, Japan win: 6.80
Group F: Morocco vs Croatia
Al Bayt Stadium
Wednesday 23rd November, 11:00
Croatia are looking to go one better than four years ago, where they were beaten in the final by France, and recent form suggests they could at least be targeting a run to the latter stages again.
They go into the tournament on the back of four straight wins, and they recently reached the semi-finals of the Nations League, topping a group with France and Denmark; two teams they defeated away from home.
Morocco will be unfancied to progress in a group where they will face Croatia and Belgium, but they have won four of their last five games, keeping clean sheets in the last four, and they won all six games in their qualifying group.
Croatia have also been defending well recently, keeping clean sheets in three of their last four games, so we can envision a Croatia win and under 2.5 goals, priced at 4.10.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Morocco win: 3.70, Draw: 3.10, Croatia win: 2.22
Group E: Spain vs Costa Rica
Al Thumama Stadium
Wednesday 23rd November, 17:00
Spain have been getting back into the habit of making long runs in tournaments of late, after reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 last year, the final of the Nations League later the same year and the semi-finals of this season’s Nations League.
That Nations League progress included topping a group with Portugal, and a 1-2 home defeat to Switzerland in that competition has been their only defeat in the 11 games played since losing the 2021 Nations League final to France.
Costa Rica will be looking to match their heroics of 2014, when they won their group ahead of Uruguay, Italy and England, before reaching the quarter-finals.
Keylor Navas, Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell remain from that team, but they are lacking firepower, having scored just 13 goals from their 14 qualifying group matches. They did however win seven of their last eight games in qualifying, conceding just two goals in the process.
Given Spain haven’t won any of their last 11 competitive games by more than two goals, we would keep an eye on Spain to win by one goal at 4.10 or to win by two goals at 4.00.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Spain win: 1.19, Draw: 6.80, Costa Rica win: 18.00
Group F: Belgium vs Canada
Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium
Wednesday 23rd November, 20:00
Belgium are not dealing with the same level of expectation as the last two World Cups, and with Croatia in the same group, a place in the Last 16 as group winners will not come easily.
Roberto Martinez’ team have only won four of their last 10 games and failed to progress in the Nations League, where their campaign included a damaging 1-4 home defeat to the Netherlands, though they showed resilience by hammering Poland 6-1 at home five days later.
Belgium should be expected to beat Canada, who are appearing in their first World Cup since 1986, but they should not be taken lightly, having topped their final qualifying table. Their recent form has been inconsistent though, with four wins, four draws and one defeat from their last nine games.
A run of one clean sheet from the last five games against teams not close to Belgium’s level makes us think Belgium with a -1 handicap at 2.45 stands out in this one.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Belgium win: 1.54, Draw: 4.30, Canada win: 6.20
