Japan will be looking to go undefeated in group stage play at the World Cup for the first time since 2002 when they close out their Group H schedule against Poland on Thursday as narrow +160 favorites.
The Blue Samurai have hit their stride at the right time, ending a dismal 0-1-4 win-draw-loss run in pre-tournament play across all competitions by going undefeated in three outings ahead of Thursday’s matchup at Volgograd Arena.
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- Japan has scored eight goals in its last three matches in all competitions.
- Poland has been held scoreless in seven of its last 10 World Cup games.
- Robert Lewandowski led UEFA with 16 goals in qualifying but has been held scoreless in Russia.
Character Performances Lift Blue Samurai atop Group H Odds
The Japanese took full advantage of an undisciplined Colombia side in their tournament opener, dominating the short-handed Cafeteros in a 2-1 victory as +395 underdogs. Japan followed up with a pair of impressive comebacks to earn a 2-2 draw with Senegal as +210 underdogs, leaving them knotted with the Lions of Teranga atop the Group H table, and lifting them to +135 favorites to win the group on the World Cup futures.
Japan has rediscovered their offensive touch during their current surge, scoring eight total goals over their past three matches after finding the back of the net on just three occasions during a recent five-match swoon. The squad has received goalscoring contributions from up and down the lineup, including an unexpected three goals in three matches from veteran midfielder Takashi Inui, who is pegged as a +450 bet to score anytime during Thursday’s contest.
Eagles Grounded Following Impressive Qualifying Run
Poland saw its chances of advancing to the knockout stage for the first time since 1986 extinguished with a crushing 3-0 loss to Colombia as a +250 bet on Sunday, but has remained resilient on the World Cup game line odds at Sportsbook, where they are pegged as +185 underdogs against Japan.
The Eagles entered the 2018 FIFA World Cup amid high hopes after marching through UEFA World Cup qualifying with just one loss in 10 matches, and opened as a strong +165 wager to win Group H. However, an own goal to open the scoring in their tournament opener against Senegal set the tone for Poland, which has suffered clean-sheet losses in seven of their past 10 World Cup contests.
A Disappointing Tournament for Lewandowski
Poland has not been without its chances, outshooting Senegal by a 13-9 overall margin in their 2-1 loss as +135 chalk. However, Robert Lewandowski has struggled. The Bayern Munich star was a non-factor in Poland’s two losses after scoring five times in his previous five outings across all competitions, but he remains a +325 favorite to open the scoring on Thursday.
