Spain W vs Japan W: Match Preview, Betting Odds & Expert Predictions

How would the reigning world champions fare in their first Olympic match against Japan in 2024? This is a rematch of a 2023 World Cup Group C match in which Japan defeated Spain 4-0; nonetheless, the outcome sent the eventual champions into a frenzy for the remainder of the competition. No matter who wins, the game will provide true football fans with a good dose of spectacle as it showcases the two countries' potential in France.

Head-to-head and previous matches

Spain secured their first Olympic berth after defeating the Netherlands 3-0 in the UEFA Women's Nations League semifinals. Ona Batlle, Jenni Hermoso, and Aitana Bonmati all scored to guarantee their spot in the competition. Amid this, they set a new record with 21,856 spectators in Seville's La Cartuja stadium.

The women's match between Japan and Spain will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 25th, at Nantes's Stade de la Beaujoire.

Meanwhile, Japan's 2-1 win against the Democratic People's Republic in February guaranteed them a berth at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The 2011 world champions Nadeshiko have never won an Olympic medal in their five efforts, with their best performance being in 2012 in London, when they lost in the final to the United States.

Spain w x Japan w Team News

Aitana Bonmatí, named The Best FIFA Women's Player 2023, is one of many elite players that La Roja will bring to the match in imperious form. She played a crucial role in Barcelona's triumph against Lyon in the Champions League final. In addition to Salma Paralluelo, Alexia Putellas, Jenni Hermoso, and Irene Paredes, the rest of the Spanish squad is projected to do very well in Paris.

Saki Kumagai, a defender with 150 caps, and Hinata Miyazawa, winner of the Golden Boot at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, are the stars of Japan's stellar roster, now sitting seventh in the FIFA Women's World Rankings.

Meanwhile, the team's typical 3-4-2-1 formation should have Riko Ueki at center midfield, with Liverpool's Fuka Nagano and prodigy Aoba Fujino forming a solid defense around Yui Hasegawa, who has become one of the best central midfielders in the world.

Our Predictions

Over 2.5 goals @ 1.68 on Sky247.ng

With the net bulging 46 times overall throughout the last 19 Spain W games, every one of the last 19 home matches has produced at least one successful strike. Given that 18 of the most recent 21 Japan W away games in the second tier of Olympic Games Women have also served up two or more goals, it would be unexpected if this battle concludes with fewer than two goals.

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