Meeting for the second time in as many World Cups, Colombia and Japan will open their respective tournaments against each other on Tuesday, June 19 to kick off Group H play.
Japan, looking for a better result than the 4-1 thrashing administered by Los Cafeteros in the final match of group play in 2014, faces +475 odds on the three-way moneyline with Colombia a strong favorite at -145.
- Colombia has played to 2 consecutive scoreless draws (friendlies).
- Japan scored just 2 goals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
- The Super Computer is predicting Japan to win and for the total to go OVER.
Betting Odds for Colombia vs Japan
Priced at -120, the chalk on OVER 2 at Sportsbook could scare people away considering Colombia’s offensive output – or lack thereof – in the lead-up to the World Cup but when these squads lined up in 2014, fireworks ensued.
The scary aspect for the Samurai Blue is that Colombia will have Radamel Falcao back in tow after the veteran goalscorer missed the entire 2014 tournament with an ACL injury. He and James Rodriguez will lead the lines for the Tricolors and could realistically take down a relative minnow in Japan without much support.
Group H looks like it could be the most competitive of the lot so the Colombians will want to take care of business in their opener and the Japanese should expect no mercy with a spot in the knockout stage potentially coming down to goal differential.
Best bets for Colombia vs Japan
All things considered, Colombia -1 (+130) looks like a fantastic bet. Outclassing Japan at just about every position, the 2014 quarterfinalists have what it takes to make it back to the late stages of the World Cup. Expect Jose Pekerman to flex his managerial muscles on Matchday 1.
Speaking of Falcao, why not have a poke at the World Cup debutant to bag a goal anytime at +125? The silky-booted 32-year-old scored twice in Colombia’s final three qualifying matches and he piled up 21 goals in just 29 Ligue 1 and Champions League matches for AS Monaco this past season.
