We’re into the round of 32 for the World Cup, and the second game to kick us off is Brazil versus Japan. Brazil come into this with two 3-0 wins in the group stage, alongside a 1-1 draw with Morocco. Japan were also unbeaten in the group stage, with two draws and a win.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil dismantled Scotland and Haiti fairly easily as they went on to win Group C on goal difference ahead of Morocco, with Scotland and Haiti eliminated from the tournament. Brazil look good to go deep into the competition.
Japan finished second in their group, two points behind group winners the Netherlands. Sweden also progressed from group F as one of the best third placed teams, and Tunisia dropped out with zero wins from three games.
Brazil vs Japan Bet Builder Tip
Brazil to win (7/10)
I fancy Brazil to win here and progress to the round of 16, but it won’t be easy. Japan come into this unbeaten, the same as the Brazilians, and will also fancy their chances of winning and getting through to the next round. Brazil have won eight of their last 10 matches, losing two, one of them being a friendly defeat to Monday’s opponents Japan – a 3-2 win for the Japanese back in October 2025. Japan are unbeaten in their last 10, with nine wins and one draw in that time. However, I think on the biggest stage, Brazil will perform and come out on top. They have a superior squad of players, so I think they will win this one, but only just.
BEST BET BUILDER TIP – both teams to score @ 19/20
I think the best value selection of this bet builder is taking both teams to score at odds of 19/20. Both teams scored in each of their group stage matches, with both teams bagging seven goals in their three World Cup matches so far. Both teams have strong attacking players, and I expect it to be end-to-end as it often is in competition football, as both teams try to score goals and get through to the next round. When these two last met, it was a high-scoring five-goal thriller in favour of Japan, and I think this could be another high-scoring game. I think both teams will get themselves on the scoresheet here.
Vinicius Junior over 1.5 shots on target (11/10)
Vinicius Junior scored four goals in Brazil’s three group stage matches at the World Cup, with two against Scotland and one in each of their matches against Haiti and Morocco. The forward scored 22 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid last season, which is a decent return. In those three Group C matches, he had eight shots on target, giving him an average of more than two shots on target per game. I think he will have a number of chances here, and expect him to manage at least two more shots on target.
ALTERNATIVE BET – Vinicius Junior to score @ 6/4
Odds of 6/4 for Vini Jr to score here decrease the odds of this bet builder to odds of 24/1 with Bet MGM. With four goals in the competition already, and at least one in each fixture, I think there’s a good chance of him scoring again here at odds of 6/4.
Casemiro to be booked (3/1)
Casemiro has already picked up one booking at the World Cup already, and I think he’s good odds to pick up his second booking here against Japan. He was booked in Brazil’s opening game against Morocco, which shows he’s more likely to foul against a higher calibre of opponents, as Morocco has been their hardest fixture so far. He picked up 12 cards in the Premier League for Manchester United last season, with 11 yellows and one red. He has made four fouls so far at the World Cup, giving him an average of more than one foul per game, and I think he will make a couple here. Odds of 3/1 is generous for Casemiro to be carded again in this one.
Brazil vs Japan Free Bets
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