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November 14 2024, 02:16 · Alex Sarwar
Updated: November 14 2024, 02:17

Indonesia vs Japan Preview: Team News & Prediction

Indonesia vs Japan Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Despite their 100% record in Group C coming to an end at the hands of Australia last month, table toppers Japan are still extremely well-placed heading into their latest round three qualification match against winless Indonesia.

Kick-off date/time: Friday November 15th 2024: UK – 12:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Indonesia Preview: Draw specialists of Group C face toughest challenge

Despite having failed to win a single one of their group fixtures so far, three draws in four have at least helped Indonesia accumulate three points, keeping them in the mix for a top four finish. Two points currently separate them from fourth-placed Bahrain heading into this latest round of fixtures, so whilst this essentially resembles somewhat of a free hit, they do need to find a win from somewhere very soon.

Japan Preview: Samurai Blue averaging over three goals per game

With a whopping 15 goals having already been racked up across four matches, Japan are blowing away the opposition, or at least they were before a dogged Australia came to Saitama and held them to a 1-1 draw. But such a result certainly isn’t a disaster for Japan, who maintain a vice-like grip on Group C with five points between them and third-place ahead of this round of games. Another win here would make it 13 points from a possible 15.

Indonesia Team News: Former Netherlands u21 defender Kevin Diks called up and likely to earn first cap for Indonesia

PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Paes; Walsh, Diks, Amat, Idzes, Pattynama; Sulaeman, Jenner, Haye, Oratmangoen; Struick

UNAVAILABLE: 

QUESTIONABLE: 

Japan Team News: Ueda out injured and expected to be replaced by Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi

PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Suzuki; Itakura, Taniguchi, Machida; Doan, Endo, Kamada, Mitoma; Minamino, Kyogo, Kubo

UNAVAILABLE: Ueda (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: 

Key Stats

  • Indonesia have lost only one of their previous five World Cup qualifying matches at home in the current campaign (W3 D1).
  • Indonesia have kept four clean sheets in their previous five World Cup qualifying matches at home in the current campaign.
  • Indonesia’s tally of five wins and 24 goals scored in the 2026 qualifiers are their highest totals in a single edition of a World Cup qualifying campaign.
  • Japan have won their last seven World Cup qualifying matches outside of Japan without conceding a goal.
  • Japan have won 11 of their last 12 World Cup qualifying matches outside of Japan, with a total of only one goal conceded in the 12 matches.
  • Japan have lost only two of their last ten international matches against Indonesia (W6 D2).
  • Japan have won 14 and drawn two of their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches. Since their 1-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia in October 2021.
  • Japan last conceded more than one goal in a World Cup qualifying match in a 2-1 defeat against the United Arab Emirates in September 2016.

Indonesia vs Japan Prediction

Japan are by far the best team in Group C and despite not having Ueda available, they still boast more than enough attacking quality and plenty of strength-in-depth to add to their incredible goal tally. Expect Indonesia to be overwhelmed by this slick Japanese machine and for the visitors to respond well to being held by Australia. Back a comfortable victory for Japan in this one and by more than just a one goal margin.

Indonesia vs Japan Tip: Japan to win with -1 handicap