Iraq vs Japan Prediction and Match Preview

Japan started off this Asian Cup season with a strong win over Vietnam. It was their 11^th victory in a row across all competitions. They have defeated some big European teams in that stretch and such a form will definitely boost them to add more here, against Asian teams.

Their next group stage outing is against Iraq on Friday. Going on, Iraq is having a decent form of late. They started off this season with a 1-3 victory over Indonesia. It is worth noting that they won four of the past five matches across all competitions.

Recent Meetings

Their latest clash was recorded on 2017 and Iraq had the hosting advantage which helped them to lock Japan in a stalemate despite of a very early goal from Osako at 8^th.

However, the Japanese side have not lost a single head to head match against Iraq and are now on a nine-game unbeaten streak. They have met four times with Iraq having  the home advantage and the hosts lost twice in that stretch.

Both teams to score option landed in the past two consecutive clashes between these two. Do also note that two of the past three clashes had goals over 2.5.

Iraq vs Japan Prediction

We expect Iraq to give a decent competition to Japan considering their home advantage. The team lost just once in the past eight home outings. Do also note that the match they lost in that stretch were against Qatar in penalty shootouts.

On the other side, the Japanese side is having an exceptional winning form on the road. They are on a six-match winning streak on the road. The team defeated Germany and Australia in their latest away matches. Such a form is more than enough to back them here.

The Japanese firepower including Minamino, who have scored two goals in their opening match, will boost them to add more to their high-scoring displays. They have netted in at least two goals in the past four road trips.

Meanwhile, Iraq have also been consistent in scoring goals of late. At home, they have scored a total of 15 goals in the past six matches. Moreover, the team started off this season with a 3-1 win over Indonesia.

Considering all these observations, we like to start with a combined tip of Japan to win and both teams to score. While placing it as the main tip, we like to back the over 2.5 goals tip considering the recent goal trend of both.

Peter Green- January 17, 2024

Iraq vs Japan Betting Tips

Japan to win & Both teams to score

OK

3.00 Odds

Over 2.5 goals

OK

	1.53 Odds
	1.50 Odds