Predictions Preview
| Fixture | Prediction | |
| Japan vs Costa Rica | Japan win | Bet Now |
| Belgium vs Morocco | Belgium win | Bet Now |
| Croatia vs Canada | Croatia win or draw (1X) | Bet Now |
| Spain vs Germany | Over 2.5 goals | Bet Now |
Japan vs Costa Rica
27 November 2022
BCA Prediction: Japan win
Japan can all but guarantee qualification to the knockout rounds with a victory here. This would be the third time in their last four World Cup appearances that they have progressed beyond the group stages. The Japanese are now mainstays on the global stage, and their shock come-from-behind win over Germany in their opener is a testament to that. Overall, Japan have now won 5 of their last six competitive matches, and they have kept clean sheets in 4 of those games.
On the other hand, the Ticos are the biggest losers in this tournament so far, having been thrashed 7-0 by Spain. Costa Rica looked like a shadow of the side that made a run to the quarter-final stage in 2014, and they will need a massive improvement to avoid another defeat here. Luis Fernando Suarez’s men will be worried that they have won only two of the last 9 matches they have played outside of Costa Rica, losing 4 and drawing 4.
More worrisome is their record against Japan. In the four matches in which these two teams have competed, Japan have won 3 and drawn one. We expect Japan to keep the run going with a victory here and condemn the Costa Ricans to consecutive group-stage exits.
Key Takeaways:
- In their 20 most recent matches of all competitions, Japan have been undefeated 18 times
- Japan have been scoring 2.00 goals on average in their games in all competitions
- Costa Rica are on a poor run of just 1 win in 8 matches (World Cup)
- Costa Rica are conceding an average of 7.00 goals in their away all competitions games
Belgium vs Morocco
27 November 2022
BCA Prediction: Belgium win
Belgium were unconvincing in their opener against Canada and were outplayed for large spells. Roberto Martinez still found a way to win to keep their fantastic record in this competition – they have won 11 of their last 13 World Cup games. The red devils have now only been beaten by only the Netherlands, France and Italy in their last 22 competitive fixtures meaning that they rarely slip up against the smaller teams.
As for Morocco, they got a credible result by holding out for a goalless draw in their opener. That continued a habit for the Atlas Lions, who have now failed to score in half of their World Cup matches. They have also lost their second group stage match in four of their previous five appearances at this competition. This current version of Morocco is tough to beat, and they are now unbeaten in their last 24 competitive games.
That run of games did not see them come up against a team of Belgium pedigree, with Croatia being the highest-ranked team they have faced. Considering Belgium’s perfect record in the group stages of recent and the fact that they have never lost a FIFA World Cup match against an African nation before, they should be able to see off a low-scoring Morocco side.
Key Takeaways:
- Belgium have won each of their last eight group stage games at the World Cup
- Belgium have scored exactly one goal in four of their last six matches
- Morocco have won just 2 of their 17 World Cup matches
- In their last 39 games in all competitions, Morocco have been undefeated on 38 occasions
Croatia vs Canada
27 November 2022
BCA Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
2018 World Cup finalists Croatia began their campaign with a drab goalless draw against Morocco, attempting just five shots and only hitting the target twice. The result did extend their unbeaten run to six competitive matches. Zlatko Dalic’s men scored more than once in two of those seven games but also kept clean sheets in three. This is evidence of Croatia’s controlled and conservative approach and it is safe to say they are a team that seeks to keep it tight at the back first and then try to nick a goal or two.
Canada’s first appearance at the World Cup since 1986 saw them put up a spirited performance against Belgium but still lost by a goal. The Maple Leafs won the shot count against Belgium 22-9, missed a first-half penalty and had two very credible penalty shouts turned down. The defeat however means that they have now lost three and won three of their last six competitive games, a sign that they are a team that does not sit back.
Croatia will know they have to win here ahead of their final group game against Belgium. They will hope that the experience of Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic will be enough to help them overcome the inexperienced but energetic Canadians who have never scored a point or even a goal at the World Cup.
Key Takeaways:
- Croatia have scored in six of their last seven games
- Canada won the shot count 22-9 against Belgium on Saturday
- Canada have won 3 and lost 3 of their last 6 competitive games
Spain vs Germany
27 November 2022
BCA Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
Spain opened their competition with their biggest-ever World Cup win, putting Costa Rica to the sword by seven goals without reply. Only Ferran Torres scored twice, with the goals evenly shared around the squad, and there will be a lot of confident players in Spain eleven here. Luis Enrique’s men have now won 4 of their last 5 competitive matches, with clean sheets in all 4 victories. They could now do something even the great 2010 side could not do – win their opening two games.
Germany head into this game on the back of a shock opening defeat to Japan, and they will know they have to get a result here to boost their chances of qualifying for the next round. The omens aren’t great for Hansi Flick’s men, as they have now lost three of their last 4 World Cup games. Overall, they are not in great form having won just once in their last seven competitive matches, failing to keep a clean sheet in all of the seven games.
Even more alarming for the Germans is how badly they have struggled against the Spaniards recently. Spain have won 4, drawn 2 and only lost one of the last seven head-to-heads between the two sides. With the pressure fully on Germany after their opening loss, we expect a confident and vibrant Spain to have the edge and at least avoid defeat.
Key Takeaways:
- Spain have won 4 out of their last five competitive matches
- Spain haven’t lost in 35 of their last 39 games in all competitions
- Germany’s form hasn’t been good, as the team has won only 1 of their last 7 matches (all competitions)
- Germany have lost 3 of their last four World Cup games
FIFA World Cup 2022
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, and this will be the first time the event will be hosted by a Middle Eastern country. Qatar 2022 is set to have a massive geographical impact on the region for the first since the tournament’s inception in 1930.
The World Cup is a unique event in many aspects, bringing about various opportunities, especially for football enthusiasts, and with it comes many betting markets. The competition among the 32 qualified national teams will be very fierce; hence you need a guide and insight on which teams or players to stake on.
