Four days after upsetting Germany, the Japanese can take another step toward advancing to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup when they square off against Costa Rica in a Group E match on Sunday at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Ar-Rayyan, Qatar. On Wednesday Japan pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament with a 2-1 victory over four-time World Cup champion Germany. The Japanese can qualify for the Round of 16 with a win over Costa Rica and a Spain win or draw against Germany.
Kickoff is 5 a.m. ET. The Japanese are the -225 favorites (risk $225 to win $100) in the latest Japan vs. Costa Rica odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with the Costa Ricans the +750 underdogs. A draw is priced at +300. (For more soccer coverage, click here.)
Before locking in any Costa Rica vs. Japan picks or World Cup 2022 predictions, you need to see what SportsLine's soccer simulation model has to say.
The SportsLine soccer simulation model evaluates a team's offensive and defensive capabilities based on the game situation. Then, it assigns a grade using an expected payout-to-probability ratio. The model was accurate on 56% of all picks during the Champions League group stage and returned more than $1,000 to $100 bettors on its A+ picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
The model knows that the Japanese arguably will have the best player on the pitch in Takumi Minamino. Before leaving Liverpool for Monaco in June, the 27-year-old forward helped the Reds win their first league title in 30 years and come close to winning all four major trophies. During qualifying he scored 10 times, equaling Yuya Osaka's all-time record. In 45 career appearances with Japan he has 17 goals.
The model also knows that the Costa Ricans have an accomplished goalkeeper in Keylor Navas. The 35-year-old Navas played a key role as Real Madrid won three Champions League titles and four FIFA Club World Cups. In 2019 Navas moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he has made 106 appearances in three seasons. He was named Concacaf Men's Goalkeeper of the Year for three consecutive years (2016-18).
Now, the model has taken an in-depth look at the Japan vs. Costa Rica match from every angle. The model is leaning Under on the total, and it says one side of the money line has ALL the value! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any 2022 World Cup picks.
Who wins Japan vs. Costa Rica on Sunday? And which side of the money line has ALL the value? ... Join SportsLine now to see which side of the Costa Rica vs. Japan money line to back, all from the model that hit 56% of its Champions League picks!
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