#Match Preview: It’s Columbia vs. Japan Today ; Prediction, Team Comparison & Much More

Colombia take on Japan on Tuesday as Group H gets under way at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The two sides—along with Poland and Senegal—have had to wait for their turn after being drawn in the last group alphabetically, and they will be keen to kick off their campaign with a positive result in Russia. Colmbia and Japan meet this Tuesday at the Mardovia Arena Stadium. The match kicks-off at (1pm BST) on Tuesday  19 June.

Overview

Colombia will make late decision on the fitness of star midfielder James Rodriguez, who has been nursing a muscle problem. Left-back Frank Fabra was ruled out of the tournament after injuring his knee earlier this month, so Johan Mojica is set for his first competitive cap.

Japan forward Shinji Okazaki has been nursing a calf problem in recent days and is unlikely to play. Mainz’s Yoshinori Muto or Werder Bremen’s Yuya Osako will play instead. Coach Akira Nishino could leave out Keisuke Honda, 32, who has gone 21 months without an international goal. Winger Takashi Inui, who will join Real Betis this summer, scored twice in Japan’s final friendly, a 4-2 win against Paraguay, and that could earn him a starting berth in Saransk.

Head-to-Head

• Colombia are unbeaten in their three previous games with Japan, winning twice.
• The most recent encounter was a group match at the 2014 World Cup which the Colombians won 4-1.

Colombia

• None of Colombia’s 18 games at the World Cup have ended goalless. The only teams to have played more matches at the tournament without a 0-0 are the USA (33) and Austria (29).
• Jose Pekerman’s side scored just 21 times in 18 qualifiers for Russia. Only three members of their World Cup squad netted more than once – James Rodriguez (six), Carlos Bacca (three) and Falcao (two).
• They have won just two of nine games prior to this tournament (D5, L2), and their final two warm-up matches against Australia and Egypt finished goalless.
• Colombia won four games at Brazil 2014, more than in their previous four World Cup appearances combined (three victories from 13 matches). It was also the only time they have won their group.
• Los Cafeteros scored 12 times in five matches in Brazil, averaging 2.4 goals per game, a figure only Germany bettered. James Rodriguez had a hand in eight of those 12 goals (six goals, two assists).

Japan

• Japan are winless in their six previous World Cup games on European soil, losing five times.
• The Blue Samurai have never beaten a South American side at this tournament (D1, L3).
• At their five previous World Cup Cups, Japan have won their opening game just once, beating Cameroon 1-0 in 2010.
• Japan beat Paraguay 4-2 in their final warm-up game, but that is their only win in five matches this calendar year. They also drew with Mali, and lost to Ukraine, Ghana and Switzerland.
• Keisuke Honda has been directly involved in five of Japan’s six goals at the last two World Cups, scoring three goals and assisting two more.
• Honda has not scored in his last 14 international games, a run stretching back to September 2016.

Team Comparison & History
  

Predictions

Japan are a neat and tidy side but I just feel Colombia have got something about them when they get to the World Cup – they do not seem frightened to play.

Colombia reached the quarter-finals four years ago and James Rodriguez scored the goal of the tournament. I can see them doing something to stand out this time, and I am backing them to start with a win too. Prediction: 1-0.

Probable Line-ups

Colombia predicted line-up vs Japan.

Japan predicted line-up vs Colombia

Squads