(Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

World Cup Group E Odds: Germany need huge result against Spain

Japan vs Costa Rica

• When? Sunday 27th November at 10:00 GMT
• Where? Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
• Latest Result: Japan 3-0 Costa Rica, September 2018

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Japan takes on Costa Rica in the first fixture of Group E match day 2. Odds for this one were always in Japan’s favour, but even more so after a fantastic victory over Germany in their opening game. No one expected the performance Japan put on, they were absolutely incredible.

They shut out the German advances while hitting them on counters. Takuma Asana scored the winner in fantastic style. The ball dropped over his shoulder from a long ball and he took it in his stride excellently, he held off the challenges from Nico Schlotterbeck and rifled it past Manuel Neuer to send the Japanese fans into frenzy.

Costa Rica couldn’t have had a worse start to their 2022 World Cup campaign. They faced Spain and it wasn’t much of a contest at all. They were dismantled and humiliated in a 7-0 battering, Spain’s performance was great but it was Costa Rica’s deficiencies that worried manager Luis Fernando Suarez. His side will need a win to ensure their chances of qualification and Japan will have no turn over.

Group E Matchday 3 Odds: Our Pick

Our pick for this one lies in the hands of the Japanese. We can see them winning the game but not keeping a clean sheet. This game is Costa Rica’s best chance to score some points and give their fans at least one goal to celebrate. We think they will be able to do so but it won’t be enough as Japan win 2-1.

• Japan to win 2-1: 7/1
• Japan to win and both teams to score: 51/20

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Spain vs Germany

• When? Sunday 27th November at 19:00 GMT
• Where? Al Bayt Stadium
• Latest Result: Spain 6-0 Germany, Nations League 2020

Germany have had a horrendous start to the World Cup for the second tournament in a row. Back in 2018 they lost their opener to Mexico and this year they’ve done the same to Japan.

Despite taking a first half lead after an Ilkay Gundogan penalty, it was Germany who ended up chasing the game. A quick second half turnaround with goals from Doan and Asano buried Germany. Leaving them with everything to play for in the next two and some immense pressure on their shoulders.

Especially since their next game is against Spain. The toughest team in the group. Luis Enrique’s side started the tournament all the opposite to Germany. They destroyed Costa Rica in a 7-0 hammering. They breezed the game. They completed over a thousand passes throughout the 90 minutes which is a completely absurd stat. It was tika-taka from start to finish and ended in a performance you wouldn’t mistake for one of Spain’s 2010 displays.

It’s fair to say the Spaniards will be full of confidence heading into this one, but it will still be no easy task. Jurgen Klopp once said that he’d rather face a side in-form than out of form because a side out of form has something to prove. After their shock group exit in 2018 and their last 16 defeat in Euro 2020, Germany definitely have a point to prove. Beating an in-form Spain side would be the ultimate message.

We will need to see a big performance from the Germans to turn this dream into reality. Hansi Flick always ensured that his side were the hardest workers while at Bayern and a few of his Bayern men are in the squad. Spain, undoubtedly have more quality on the ball and they will try to play around the high press of Germany. Leon Gortezka will be a key asset, as will Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane. The speed and menace of these three will be so important to counter attack when Spain are high up the pitch.

Group E Matchday 3 Odds: Our Pick

We can see this game being very tight. Both sides have immense strength in some areas, but lack in others. Germany never looks as fluid on the ball as the other top teams but they make up for it with grit and physicality. Spain lacks physicality but can play it around incredibly. We can see this one being a draw.

• Draw with both teams to score: 31/10
• Correct score: 2-2: 10/1

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Will the tiki taka Spain have enough to get past Germany? Or will Hansi Flick’s side take things to the final game…

Author: Jude Sutcliffe