Friday 20/06/2014, 00:00, World Cup Group C, Japan vs Greece

Japan vs Greece Betting Preview

For football fans from all over the world, this is perhaps the least exciting match scheduled for the group stage, but people from two countries will be watching it with huge interest. In order for Japan and Greece to have even theoretical chances of surviving the group, they will need to win all three points. A draw is more or less the same as the defeat, because it would present the Ivory Coast with an excellent opportunity to advance together.

Japan vs Greece Betting Odds

At Bet365

Japan 2.50, Draw 3.30, Greece 2.80

Japan vs Greece Betting Tips

Greece has an aging team that never achieved anything memorable since winning the European championship, which was itself a huge surprise. Interesting enough, they rely on the same strategy that covered them in glory many years ago, but the results are harvested same.

The reason for why the cradle of democracy is no longer a formidable competitor in the world of football is that key players are aging and they don't do it gracefully. Greece has some of the oldest players of all participating teams and the biggest problems are created by the midfield and offensive players.

Mitroglou is the only one that can be relied to sprint and outmaneuver defenders, because the other strikers are slow and they don't have the stamina to play for 90 min. Greece will rely on a single striker in most games and only add the second if their opponents take the lead and dominate the match.

Japan is not exactly a force to be reckoned with, but what they lack in talent and experience they compensate through discipline. The Asian nation will launch waves of attacks and a hail of balls towards the opponent's net, hoping that some of them will penetrate the aging defense. The Greeks have a backline that saw better days but the players are all immensely experienced and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Key Facts

• Despite the obvious need for points, both teams will start prudently the match, knowing that if they concede an early goal, they are as good as eliminated.
• Mitroglou and Honda are the two players that have the best chance of scoring tonight and it will all come down to how well their opponents contain the threat.

Japan vs Greece Betting Odds Prediction

Japan is slight favorite to win the fixture but the odds are still short at 2.50, because if Greeks defend properly they might be good enough to keep a clean sheet. This match has Draw written all over it and even though the result doesn't actually help anyone, it wouldn't be the first time that games end with the score that benefits no one.

Bet: Draw @ 3.30 with Bet365