Netherlands vs Japan Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips
The Netherlands, which has reached three World Cup finals, meets Japan, which will be playing in its eighth World Cup tournament. This match will go down on June 14th in Dallas at the AT&T Stadium. Japan reached the tournament with three games to spare in their group, and the Netherlands were unbeaten in their qualifying group, finishing top to reach their 12th successive World Cup tournament.
These teams met in South Africa at the 2010 World Cup, where the Netherlands scraped by with the winning goal scored by Wesley Sneijder. The Netherlands went on to make it to the final, where they lost to Spain.
The Netherlands’ Attacking Style
The Netherlands has Cody Gakpo as their main attacking threat, who has great movement and intelligence. The way the Dutch like to play is with intelligent movement and players arriving late into the box. They have good midfield players who arrive in the box as an attacking threat, such as Tijjani Reijnders.
Memphis Depay, if he is fully fit, can cause trouble for Japan as he has good goal-scoring instincts and is the highest scorer for the Netherlands.
This team is dangerous in the first 20 minutes when they try to catch teams cold. Virgil Van Dijk’s heading ability is always dangerous from set pieces, too.
Netherlands Team News
There are currently seven players on the treatment table for the Netherlands, including their most prolific goal scorer, Memphis Depay. Xavi Simons recently got injured playing for Tottenham and will be out until early 2027. There are also injuries for Justin Bijlow, Denzel Dumfries, Mark Flekken, Jerdy Schouten, and Jurrien Timber. The Netherlands is expecting Bijlow, Dumfries, Timber, and Depay to be available in time for this match.
Japan’s Attacking Style
Japan relies on its players’ individual brilliance, its wing play, speed, and the team’s work rate, which constantly puts pressure on the opposition teams. Takefusa Kubo is a creative gem for the Japanese team. He has the ability to get into different positions and carry the ball with his attacking ability. Then Japan has Kaoru Mitoma, who plays for Premier League team Brighton, who has fantastic dribbling skills and a rapid pace to frighten defenders.
The Japan striker is Ayase Ueda, who is always pressing and working hard for the team to get up the pitch. He is also a fine finisher.
The speed on the break is what makes Japan a dangerous team. They have the ability to hurt teams when they are not defensively set.
Japan Team News
Japan has a team full of players who play in top leagues around Europe. Takefusa Kubo plays in LaLiga in Spain for Real Sociedad and is a real attacking threat for Japan, as well as Kaoru Mitoma, who plays in the Premier League. The good news for Japan is that they have a full squad of fit players. There are currently no players unavailable through injury.
Netherlands vs Japan Verdict: Who We’re Backing
This is likely to be one of the tightest games in the opening week of the tournament. Both teams have quality players and are very dangerous going forward. The Netherlands has more experience in World Cup tournaments, reaching the final on three occasions, even though they have never lifted the famous trophy. Japan is on a run of good form and has a great work rate, making it difficult to beat. Our prediction is a draw.
