- Japan are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions (W4, D1).
- Sweden are in mixed form with three wins, one draw and one defeat across their last five games.
- Japan are undefeated in their last three away games, including victories over England and a draw with the Netherlands.
Blossoming Samurai take on big Swedes
Japan opened their FIFA World Cup, Group F 2026 account with a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, the result leaving them in second with a point in a group Sweden lead with three following their 5-1 thumping of Tunisia in their opener.
Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has clearly done a good job with the Samurai Blue since he took charge in 2018, fashioning a tactically flexible and disciplined group of players that can play with the ball and without.
His team's preferred system is a fluid 3-4-2-1 that thrives on fast transitions, positional rotations and the presence of two hard-running wing-backs that support the two wide midfielders in attack.
Moriyasu has some talented and experienced players to play with, but none have been as effective as Daichi Kamada, who has scored in the group stages of the World Cup, while Koki Ogawa has contributed one assist.
Sweden boss Graham Potter has not had as long to make his mark on this team as Japan's boss, taking the role in October 2025, but he has quickly got the team to play a compact and disciplined style that should suit them for their trip to the USA.
Sweden are a team with some tall, powerful and technically gifted players like Viktor Gyoekeres, who has six goals in his last five appearances for Sweden, and Alexander Isak, who has registered two assists in this World Cup.
The Swedes play a slower-paced game, focusing on controlling the ball and making accurate early vertical passes when possible, while their set piece play has been potent.
It is a clash of styles that will be fascinating at the Dallas Stadium, but we think Japan, who are unbeaten in their last five games, will edge out a tight game.
Japan are listed at 2.18 to take the win on Thursday, while Sweden are 3.35 and the draw 3.4.
The under 2.5 goals market, however, looks like the savvy play at 1.81 as neither team is likely to give away too much in the way of space in what could be a close and cagey battle.
