Japan vs Spain – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

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THE FACTS

When is Japan vs Spain on and what time does it start? Japan vs Spain will take place on Monday 31st July, 2023 – 09:00 (UK)

Where is Japan vs Spain taking place? Japan vs Spain will take place at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.

Where can I get tickets for Japan vs Spain? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Japan vs Spain

What channel is Japan vs Spain on in the UK? Japan vs Spain will be televised live on ITV1

Where can I stream Japan vs Spain in the UK? Japan vs Spain will be streamed on ITVX

THE LOWDOWN

JAPAN

• Under the management of Fatoshi Ikeda, Japan have started well with two victories to nil. They began with a 5-0 hammering of Zambia and then followed that up with a 2-0 win against Costa Rica.
• Japan became world champions in 2011 and they are expected to go deep into this World Cup but any tilt at the title seems unlikely - albeit they have performed impressively so far.

SPAIN

• There are plenty of Spanish players missing from the squad due to the fallout last October between playing staff and the coach at the time. Despite that, though, they remain one of the strongest teams in the competition and will expect to challenge for the trophy.
• They began their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage with a 3-0 hammering of Costa Rica before following that up with, like Japan, a 5-0 defeat of Zambia.

THE TEAM NEWS

JAPAN

PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Yamashita; Miyake, Kumagai, Minami; Shimizu, Hasegawa, Hayashi, Sugita; Fujino, Naomoto; Tanaka

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

SPAIN

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Rodriguez; Batlle, Paredes, Andres, Carmona; Bonmati, Abelleira, Putellas; Paralluelo Ayingono, Jenni, Caldentey

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

THE KEY STATS

• This is the first meeting between these two nations in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Overall, Spain have won three and drawn one of their four encounters.
• Japan have qualified from their group for the fourth successive edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• The only time Japan have finished top of their FIFA Women’s World Cup group is 2015.
• Japan have started their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign with two successive wins for the third time in the last four editions having previously done so in 2011 and 2015.
• Japan are aiming to win all three matches in a FIFA Women’s World Cup group for the second time. They previously did so in 2015.
• Japan have now won six and drawn one of their last eight FIFA Women's World Cup group stage matches.
• Japan have faced European opposition 17 times previous in the FIFA Women’s World Cup (W6 D1 L10).
• Japan have won only two of their previous 12 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage matches against European opposition (D1 L9).
• Japan have kept clean sheets in successive FIFA Women's World Cup matches for the first time.
• A clean sheet in this match would see Japan complete a group stage campaign at the finals without conceding a goal for the first time.
• Japan's total of seven goals after two matches has equalled their highest total of goals scored in a FIFA Women's World Cup group which they recorded in 2003.
• Japan have had six different goalscorers in the 2023 finals so far.
• Spain have now qualified from their group in successive FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments for the first time.
• Spain are aiming to finish top in their group in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
• Spain have won successive FIFA Women's World Cup matches for the first time.
• The six points picked up in two matches at the 2023 finals is already Spain’s best points total in a FIFA Women’s World Cup group bettering their total of four points in three matches in 2015.
• Against Zambia, Spain scored five goals in a FIFA Women's World Cup match for the first time.
• Teresa Abelleira's goal for Spain in after 8 mins and 45 seconds of their match against Zambia is their fastest goal in FIFA Women’s World Cup history.
• Against Zambia, Jennifer Hermoso became the first player to score in two FIFA Women's World Cup final competitions for Spain (2019 & 2023).
• Jennifer Hermoso reached the landmarks of 100 international appearances and 50 goals in Spain’s victory against Zambia.
• Spain have not conceded a goal in their last three FIFA Women's World Cup group stage matches.
• Spain have scored the opening goal in each of their previous four matches against Japan.
• Spain are aiming to win a match against an AFC opponent in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time having lost 2-1 against Korea Republic in 2015 and then drawn 0-0 against China PR in 2019.

THE PREDICTION

Albeit against fairly weak opposition, these two probably share the tag of being the ‘best’ performing teams so far at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The two sides have not only been enterprising in attack but they have also managed to keep back-to-back clean sheets. Rotation may be in order and if that is the case we may get an even more entertaining and open game than expected. This should be a fun watch.

TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE