Japan v Mexico Prediction 22nd June 2013

Mexico v Japan Betting Preview
Well the tournament is going to be over for both of these sides at the final whistle in this one, as both are only playing for pride. Neither have managed to record a win, losing both of their respective opening matches against Italy and Brazil. It was always going to be a tough ask for either of them to get through, but with nothing riding on this, it should at least be a pretty open and entertaining match, and that could mean goals.

Mexico v Japan Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Japan 8/5, Mexico 7/4, draw 23/10

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Mexico v Japan Recommended Bet:
The Japanese won themselves a tremendous amount of plaudits after their momentous efforts against Italy in their second group. The Blue Samurai had shown flashes of quality in the final third of the pitch against Brazil in their 3-0 defeat there. Then they had the Italians on the ropes as they took a 2-0 lead, reviving their hopes of battling it out for a place in the semi finals. However, the Italians struck back to open up a three nil lead, but the Japanese wouldn’t lie down and got themselves an equaliser. However, their dreams were shattered when Italy’s Mario Balotelli scored a late winner in a thrilling 4-3 match. There are two sides to Japan at the moment, one very good, one, well, not so much.

Japan look quite a handful when they use their width and throw bodies forward. However, they are very lightweight through the centre of the pitch and in the heart of defence where they find it hard to compete physically. It is still a young side, so that is in their favour and at least there are positives there to work on. To their credit they go as favourites for this one, and it will be good confidence for them after having already qualified for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. As for Mexico, they have been a bigger disappointment. They had been tipped as many as being the dark horse for the tournament, because they came into the Confederations Cup on the back of a long unbeaten streak. Most of their 2013 unbeaten run was thanks to drawing games, and a high percentage of them being 0-0. Mexico have now won just one of their last eleven.

While Japan will be back in Brazil next summer, Mexico’s chances are still hanging by a thread, so they could use a confidence boost. They don’t look as complete of a unit as Japan do sadly, and really haven’t offered that much. There is decent enough pace in the side, but their clear problem is creating chances and then converting them. There is a lack of composure and perhaps quality in the final third of the pitch. El Tri look to be missing a bit of a spark and were very poor in their second match against Brazil where they had a lack of fight in a match which they really needed to get a result from. Worryingly for Mexico they have scored just two goals in their last six matches now and needed a spot kick to register their single one at the Confederations Cup.

If Japan get their tails up and get an early goal then they could knock the stuffing out of the Central Americans and walk away with their heads held high. Just worth backing Japan outright on this one at 8/5 with online betting site Paddy Power.

Form
Japan LLDWLL, Mexico DWDDLL

In the Japan v Mexico head to head there have only been four previous meetings between them and it stands 3-1 in favour of the Central Americans. They have met once before in the Confederations Cup, Mexico winning 2-1 in a 2005 meeting. The other three meetings were international friendly matches,  with Japan only managing to win once, the first ever meeting between the two nations.