Japan and Sweden go head to head for a place inside the last 32 of the World Cup on Thursday at AT&T Stadium for Arlington, Texas. The Samurai Blue dey in pole position to finish as one of Group F top two, as dem collect four points so far, following up dem draw with Netherlands by hammering Tunisia.
Japan almost sure to reach the last 32 already, but a draw or win over Sweden go ensure dem finish as leader or runner-up of the group. Goal difference fit be important for Japan if dem win, assuming Netherlands also beat Tunisia for dem final match.
Clinching first place give dem a simpler last 32 tie—for paper, at least. Sweden know dem need victory to automatically qualify as one of the top two, but a draw fit be enough to progress as one of the eight best third-place teams.
By beating Japan, Sweden fit hypothetically finish first, if Dutch stumble against Tunisia. A defeat for Sweden leave dem for perilous position and at mercy of others. Sweden manage an unprecedented feat by following dem opening 5-1 World Cup win over Tunisia with a defeat by the same scoreline to Netherlands last time out.
During battle with Oranje, dem glaring defensive deficiencies were brutally exposed. Japan, wey become first Asian nation to score four goals for a World Cup match against Tunisia, go punish an unconvincing Sweden rearguard, as Samurai Blue boast an impressive arsenal of attacking weapons.
Graham Potter go expect his side to get on scoresheet given presence of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres up front, but Japan be the superior outfit and go finish dem group stage with flourish. Japan high-scoring win was all the more impressive considering Moriyasu was without Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad, wey dey nurse a knee injury and remain a doubt for game with Sweden.
Samurai Blue already without a host of injured stars, including Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and captain Wataru Endo, and Shūto Machino, wey replace Endo for squad, miss Tunisia triumph through illness. Moriyasu go reluctant to change anything from the glitzy win on matchday two, potentially naming the same XI.
Japan predicted lineup vs. Sweden (3-4-2-1): Z. Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Itakura, H. Itō; Dōan, Sano, Tanaka, Nakamura; Itō, Kamada; Ueda. Anthony Elanga scored from bench against Netherlands and cause real problems with his speed, potentially earning am promotion to XI as Potter right wing back.
Wantaway Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall fit earn his first start of tournament, replacing Celtic Benjamin Nygren for midfield to make Sweden harder to play through. Isak and Gyökeres go continue to lead line and provide Japan defense with some major headaches as dem partnership flourishes.
Sweden predicted lineup vs. Japan (3-5-2): Nordfeldt; Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelöf; Elanga, Bergvall, Karlström, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Gyökeres, Isak.
