Olympics: Brazil vs. Japan – prediction, team news, lineups
On Sunday, Brazil Women will go head-to-head with Japan Women in an Olympic encounter at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Brazil began their Olympic campaign with a win, while Japan fell to a narrow defeat to 2023 World Cup winners Spain.
Match preview
Brazil are determined to enjoy a successful tournament after failing to make it out of the group stage at the 2023 World Cup.
Arthur Elias's side ultimately got off to an ideal start, with Gabi Nunes scoring the decisive goal to fire her country to a 1-0 victory in Thursday's opener against Nigeria.
As a result of their narrow victory, Brazil are already well set to continue their fine record of reaching the Olympic knockout rounds, having progressed from the group stage in each of their previous seven appearances.
They will now turn their focus to their fourth meeting with Japan in the last three months, winning 4-3 in November and losing 2-0 in December before they met in the SheBelieves Cup earlier this year.
On that occasion, the two sides played out a 1-1 draw before Brazil won the subsequent penalty shootout to clinch third place.
In contrast to their opponents, Japan's Olympic campaign began with a defeat despite the fact they took an early lead against Spain.
Aoba Fujino produced a stunning free-kick to give her country a 13th-minute lead, only to see her opener cancelled out within 10 minutes by Aitana Bonmati.
Mariona Caldentey netted the winner in the second period to clinch the spoils and condemn Japan to a narrow defeat which ended a run of three consecutive victories.
Despite getting off to a losing start, Japan will have high hopes of reaching the knockout rounds, having progressed from the group stage in each of their previous four Olympic appearances.
They previously faced Brazil on two occasions at the Olympic Games, losing 2-0 in the 1996 group phase before winning 2-0 in the 2012 quarter-finals.
Brazil Olympic Games form: W
Brazil form (all competitions): LLWWWW
Japan Olympic Games form: L
Japan form (all competitions): LWWWDL
Brazil vs. Japan odds
This is one of the closest matchups in the second round of the Women's Olympics, at least according to bookies, since Brazil Women have a 35.70% win probability, while Japan Women have a 35.80% win probability.
Brazil Women Odds: 9/5 – 35.70% probability
Draw Odds: 12/5 – 29.40% probability
Japan Women Odds: 8/5 – 35.80% probability
So, if you can't decide who to back in this match, you might want to check out some of the most popular goals markets. For example, over 2.5 total goals is priced at 19/20 odds, which implies a 51.30% probability. Meanwhile, under 2.5 total goals has odds of 17/20 and a 54.10% probability.
If you expect both teams to score, you can find this market at 3/4 odds, which is the same as a 57.10% probability.
Team News
Brazil defender Tamires is a doubt after she was forced off in the first half against Nigeria due to an injury issue.
If Tamires is unable to feature, Yasmim will most likely come into the side to operate in a back four alongside Antonia, Rafaelle Souza and Tarciane.
Brazil icon Marta will wear the captain’s armband as she looks to produce another strong display after providing an assist for Gabi Nunes’s goal on matchday one.
As for Japan, they are expected to be without new Manchester City signing Risa Shimizu, who was stretchered with an apparent knee injury in the loss to Spain.
With Shimizu set to miss out, Hana Takahashi could be given the opportunity to start Sunday’s clash with Brazil.
Chelsea forward Maika Hamano is also pushing for a starting spot after featuring as a half-time substitute in Thursday’s opener.
Brazil possible starting lineup: Lorena; Antonia, Rafaelle, Tarciane, Yasmim; Ludmila, Yaya, Duda, Marta; Nunes, Portilho
Japan possible starting lineup: Yamashita; Minami, Kumagai, Koga; Takahashi, Miyazawa, Fujino, Nagano; Hasegawa, Hamano; Tanaka
We say: Brazil 1-1 Japan
Japan will be desperate to claim all three points after losing their opener to Spain, but we think they could experience a repeat of April's 1-1 draw against Brazil at the SheBelieves Cup.
