Colombia v Japan betting tips, predictions, lineups and odds (World Cup - Group H - 19.6.2018)

Colombia open their World Cup campaign against Japan at Mordovia Arena on Tuesday afternoon. Who will claim the bragging rights? Check out here our Colombia vs Japan betting preview with predictions, betting tips, probable lineups, team news, highest odds, bookie promotions and no deposit free bets on the 2018 FIFA World Cup!

We are giving away a World Cup kit of your choice! Join the competition here!

Colombia v Japan betting preview   

Colombia aim to repeat their 2014 heroics

Colombia took the fourth automatic qualifying spot in South America, finishing 1 point behind Argentina, 4 shy of Uruguay and 14 behind Brazil. Los Cafeteros produced their best ever performance at a World Cup in Brazil in 2014 when they won each of their group stage games and reached the quarter-finals,  before losing 2-1 to hosts Brazil. Colombia come into the 2018 instalment on the back of just one warm up friendly, a game that ended goalless at the start of June against Egypt. They upset France by beating Les Blues 3-2 last March and drew 0-0 with Australia four days later. Los Cafeteros will be looking for the replay of the group stage clash from four years ago in Brazil when they trashed Japan 4-1.

Jose Pekerman has plenty of options up front but he's expected to give Radamel Falcao the chance to impress as central forward, supported by Luis Muriel, Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez. In midfield, Carlos Sanchez is likely to be joined by Wilmar Barrios or Abel Aguilar. In defense, Frank Fabra would have started at left-back for Colombia but was ruled out of the tournament earlier this month. Johan Mojica will start instead, completing a four man backline alongside Yerry Mina, Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez with Jeison Murillo viable alternative.

Japan look to defy the odds after a turbulent 2018

Japan managed to sneak through their group at the top following a very entertaining battle with Saudi Arabia and Australia. They won 6, drew 2 and lost 2 of their qualifiers, scoring 17 goals and conceding 7 to edge top spot. They arrive to Russia after a rather turbulent period which saw them make the managerial change just two months before the World Cup. The Samurai Blue conceded two or more goals in each of their three friendlies under head coach Akira Nishino - back to back 2-0 defeats against Ghana and Switzerland and a 4-2 victory over Paraguay.

Star man Keisuke Honda has been recalled to side for this tournament  and will start in the offensive midfield trio alongside Shinji Kagawa and Takashi Inui behind the lone striker Shinji Okazaki. The likes of Hotaru Yamaguchi and Makoto Hasebe should anchor the midfield. Other familiar faces will start in defense - Southampton's Maya Yoshida and former Inter Milan's Yuto Nagatomo will be partnered by Tomoaki Makino and Hiroki Sakai.

Colombia v Japan Starting Lineups   

Colombia (4-2-3-1): Ospina, Arias, D. Sanchez, Mina, Mojica; C. Sanchez, Barrios; Cuadrado, Muriel, Rodriguez; Falcao

Japan (4-2-3-1): Kawashima, Sakai, Yoshida, Makino, Nagatomo, Hasebe, Yamaguchi; Kagawa, Inui, Honda; Okazaki

Colombia v Japan Best Odds 

BetAndSkill experts strive to provide you with the best odds on all the World Cup fixtures we preview, and below are the highest prices on Colombia vs Japan match winner market. Wanna get boosted odds on the World Cup and maximise your profits? Take a look at our today's price boost promotions!

• Colombia1.74Bet
• The Draw 3.80Bet
• Japan6.15Bet

Colombia v Japan Betting Tips  

World Cup group matches generally are very tough to predict but BetAndSkill's tipsters have deeply analysed all the key stats and info about this game! Find here our recommended bets on Colombia vs Japan. Back our betting tips as singles or combine them via a Request a Bet feature! Our tipsters bring you football tips for today. Plus, we are delivering the best World Cup Group H betting tips and World Cup betting predictions throughout the tournament!

• The Draw     3.80Bet
• Under 2.5 goals  1.60Bet
• 1-1 Correct Score 8.00Bet
• Draw at Half-Time   2.05Bet

Wanna win £1 million this summer? Try the new Paddy Power prediction game Beat The Drop! Alternatively, you can try to win your £1,000,000 with The Million Pound Bet at BetVictor! Wanna start betting on the FIFA World Cup without make a deposit? We suggest you to visit our no deposit free bets, choose your free bets and combine them with our free picks on Colombia vs Japan right now!