Australia v Japan Betting Tips [24 March 2022]

Australia are in danger of missing the automatic qualification slot for the 2022 World Cup as they go into the ninth Group B game of the qualifiers, against Japan. The Socceroos are placed third in the group, with 15 points, three behind second placed Japan. Australia had a good start to their group matches but have been shaky lately, drawing three of their last four matches. They have two clean sheets in the last five matches and their only loss in that run was against the team they host – Japan. Australia have done well at home, winning nine of their last 10 World Cup qualifiers at home. They only failed to beat Saudi Arabia in that run, drawing 0-0. Ahead of this game, Australia are winless in eight matches against Japan and will want to change things here even as they go into this game with their head coach who tested positive for Covid.

Japan go into this game on a good run, having won each of their last five matches. They beat Australia 2-1 in their last meeting and will be eyeing three points here to confirm their place at the 2022 World Cup. Going into this game they have four straight clean sheets and have scored two or more goals in three of the last five matches. In their eight Group B matches, Japan have won six; their only losses in the group were against Oman and Saudi Arabia. The visitors are on two straight away wins in World Cup qualification while their only loss in the last eight away matches in World Cup qualifiers was against Saudi Arabia. Once again they will be without Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu who has been missing in recent weeks with a calf injury.

Australia are under pressure here; playing at home will not help matters and they face a side that has really done well against them. They haven’t beaten Japan in eight meetings and here Japan come with a five-game winning run, laced with four straight clean sheets. Based on recent form, back Japan to win.