In a wide-open Group C, Japan and Ivory Coast will meet to determine whose World Cup dream will take a step forward. Neither of these two teams wants to lose their first game, especially in a group where all four teams have a chance of going through. For a more comprehensive look at which teams will likely advance to the knockout stage, check our complete World Cup predictions.
This should be an entertaining, closely-contested start to the tournament for these two teams. Have some fun yourself by entering to win $500 by predicting the World Cup final and read on for everything you need to know bet on this group stage game.
[sc:Soccer ]Japan vs. Ivory Coast, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
When: June 14, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Japan +160 at Ivory Coast +152, tie +203; total 2.0 – view all World Cup lines
Betting on Japan
Japan is making its fifth-straight appearance in the World Cup after topping its Asian qualifying group.The Blue Samurai will once again be led by legendary Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni in Brazil. Zaccheroni steered them to the knockout stage in 2010.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Blue Samurai have a high-pressure attacking game that feature creative strikers and midfielders as well as high-flying fullbacks that support the offense more than the average back line.
A key to this creative offense is 2012’s Asian International Player of the Year Shinji Kagawa. Kagawa drifts between wide-right and central midfield areas and can give defenses fits. Kagawa did not have the best season with his club, Manchester United, as he failed to score in 20 appearances, but his mobility may get him past the wall that is the Ivory Coast’s midfield and outmaneuver their ageing defenders for some precious scoring opportunities.
However, the Blue Samurai’s high-pressure offense comes with a hefty price as fullback Atsudo Uchida is much better going forward than defending his opponents. This is accentuated in his stint in Schalke 04 last season when he scored a goal and recorded three assists. Uchida will be an asset in attack, but the gaps he leaves at the back may expose Japan’s already-fragile backline.
The Japanese have the upper hand in their history head-to-head against the Ivory Coast, with two wins and one loss.
Betting on Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast has finally drawn a manageable group after being put in groups of death in 2006 and 2010. The Elephants head to Brazil as one of the most potent teams in the competition, capable of executing fluid, deadly attacks on goal.
Team manager Sabri Lamouchi prefers fielding a solid team, with their midfielders serving as a wall to protect their dreary defenders. Yaya Toure figures to wrest control of the midfield with his quick and strong tackles. Toure added an offensive side to his game playing for Manchester City last season, scoring 21 goals.
This will be legendary Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba’s last World Cup. Drogba is an offensive machine, having scored 66 goals in 99 caps for Ivory Coast in his career. He will lead a diverse attacking team in Wilfried Bony, Salmon Kalou, and Gervinho.
Japan’s flying fullbacks will eventually leave gaps in their defense when they push for the offense. These transitions are what the Elephants will look to exploit once they recover possession to put their vaunted offense into play. They will navigate the openings and have numerous scoring opportunities.
In their two World Cup appearances, the Ivory Coast has not advanced past the Group Stage.
Writer’s Prediction
Ivory Coast is lucky to have drawn a manageable group. Create a betting account now and take them at +152 to start off their World Cup campaign on a high note.
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