Japan vs Sweden Prediction & Picks - World Cup
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by Bradley Gibbs | in World Cup Picks
Two teams that experienced contrasting fortunes last time out will lock horns in Texas on Thursday evening, when Japan and Sweden will face off in Group F.
After a decent first-game effort, the Japanese stepped on the gas against a sorry-looking Tunisian bunch last time out, winning emphatic style. Can they now complete the job by getting a positive result against a Sweden team that looked all over the place against the Dutch?
Given what we saw from these two teams last time out, it’s easy to feel that this could be an even more open and high-scoring game than the early lines suggest. ‘Over 3.0 Asian Total’ appeals greatly at odds of +135.
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Japan vs Sweden Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2
|
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +4 |
|
3
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Japan and Sweden Latest Matches
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 21, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 14, 2026 - World Cup
May 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 28, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 18, 2025 - International Friendlies
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 18, 2025 - International Friendlies
Nov 14, 2025 - International Friendlies
Oct 14, 2025 - International Friendlies
Oct 10, 2025 - International Friendlies
Jul 12, 2025 - East Asian Championship
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 21, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 14, 2026 - World Cup
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 28, 2026 - International Friendlies
Sep 9, 2025 - International Friendlies
Sep 6, 2025 - International Friendlies
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 20, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 14, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 4, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 1, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - World Cup
Mar 26, 2026 - World Cup
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 14, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 4, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - World Cup
Nov 18, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 13, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 10, 2025 - World Cup
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
4/6 (67%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 20, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 1, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 26, 2026 - World Cup
Nov 15, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 8, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 5, 2025 - World Cup
Japan - Sweden: Form Analysis
We knew that this Japanese side had lots of quality, especially in the creative and forward areas, and they’ve proved that in each of their games. First up, they scored twice against the Dutch, before doubling down against Tunisia, scoring four goals. Following that effort, they really should be confident of, at the very least, hurting a Swedish team that showed massive defensive deficiencies last time out.
Following that effort, they really should be confident of, at the very least, hurting a Swedish team that showed massive defensive deficiencies last time out.
Like the Japanese, the Swedes hammered the Tunisians during the first round of group games, showing bags of offensive quality, scoring five goals. However, they could not repeat that trick against the Dutch. They did play some good offensive soccer in that game, and they did create plenty, but this time they were wasteful, while they were all too open at the back, conceding no less than five goals. This does not bode well ahead of a match against the smart offensive line of Japan.
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Sweden v Japan last Lineups
Formation : 3 - 4 - 3
Formation : 3 - 5 - 2
Substitutes
K. Osako
T. Hayakawa
DefenderY. Nagatomo
S. Taniguchi
A. Seko
Y. Sugawara
T. Watanabe
J. Suzuki
MidfielderD. Maeda
Y. Suzuki
ForwardK. Goto
K. Shiogai
K. Ogawa
V. Johansson
J. Widell Zetterstrom
DefenderD. Svensson
E. Stroud
H. Ekdal
E. Smith
C. Starfelt
H. Johansson
MidfielderB. Zeneli
L. Bergvall
M. Svanberg
K. Sema
ForwardA. Elanga
G. Nilsson
T. Ali
Missing players
T. Kubo
ForwardS. Machino
E. Smith
Japan & Sweden Squad Analysis
Even if the Japanese lose this game, they’ll almost certainly go through with four points, but after such an impressive effort, Hajime Moriyasu won’t be thinking like that. Instead, he’ll surely be looking for his team to continue building momentum ahead of the knockouts, so don’t expect too many changes to be made to the Samurai Blue lineup. Following his brace last time out, Ayase Ueda should remain in attack.
Lucas Bergvall could bring more energy and resistance in midfield, while Anthony Elanga, who scored as a substitute last time out, would increase the offensive productivity of the Swedes, who were very wasteful against the Netherlands.
In contrast, Sweden boss Graham Potter will surely be looking to switch things up after watching his team struggle to contain a rampant Dutch outfit. Lucas Bergvall could bring more energy and resistance in midfield, while Anthony Elanga, who scored as a substitute last time out, would increase the offensive productivity of the Swedes, who were very wasteful against the Netherlands.
Most goals and assists
Japan
Sweden
D. Kamada
(2 Goals)
,
A. Ueda
(2 Goals)
Y. Ayari
(2 Goals)
K. Ogawa
(1 Assists)
,
T. Kubo
(1 Assists)
,
K. Itakura
(1 Assists)
,
K. Nakamura
(1 Assists)
,
A. Ueda
(1 Assists)
,
K. Sano
(1 Assists)
A. Isak
(3 Assists)
Japan - Sweden Key Points
- More than three goals have been scored in each of Sweden's two games at this World Cup.
- More than three goals have also been scored in each of Japan's two games so far.
- The Japanese scored and conceded multiple goals against the Dutch.
- The Swedes also got on the score sheet yet conceded multiple goals against the Dutch.
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Our Japan vs Sweden Prediction
Given that Graham Potter doesn’t really set teams up to sit back and soak up pressure, it’s hard to see the Swedes adopting a far less open style, so this could easily be another end-to-end encounter. Both teams have lots of offensive quality if they get it right, while both have shown that they will concede goals against good teams, with both conceding multiple goals against the Dutch.
Realistically, there's no reason for either team to not fancy themselves to score goals in this game, so much so that betting on a high-scorer makes even more appeal than the early odds would suggest.
Our Japan vs Sweden Pick: Over 3.0 Asian Total.
Japan vs Sweden - Other Interesting Picks
Tie
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Japan vs Sweden match : Frequently asked questions
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
