Japan vs Spain Odds, Prediction & Best Bet for 2022 World Cup (Spain Locks Up Group E With Dominant Effort)

Japan vs Spain Match Info

2022 FIFA World Cup — Group Stage
Japan (1-0-1) vs. Spain (1-1-0)
Date: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium — Al Rayyan, Qatar
Coverage: FOX

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is in full swing with more action slated for Thursday, Dec. 1. The action for the day includes a noteworthy Group E collision between Japan and Spain.

After an impressive showing against Germany, Japan couldn't build off that momentum, losing 1-0 to Costa Rica on Sunday. Meanwhile, Spain looked to be on its way to victory against the Germans over the weekend, only for Niclas Füllkrug to score in the 83rd to force the 1-1 draw.

Can Japan pull off another shocking victory to advance to the Round of 16? Or will Spain lock down Group E with another dominant effort?

Japan vs Spain Odds & Spread

All World Cup betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: JPN: (+700) | ESP: (-240) | DRAW: (+360)
Spread: JPN: +1 (+185) | ESP: -1 (+120)
Total: 2.5 – Over: (-140) | Under: (+114)
Team to Score the First Goal: JPN: (+250) | ESP: (-290) I NO GOALS: (+1300)

Spain enters this contest as the clear favorite per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 2 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 2.5 goals with the over being favored at -140 odds.

Japan vs Spain Prediction & Pick

Japan excels on defense, but it's going to be tough to ice out Spain. The Spaniards have scored 11 times over their last three matches, which is more goals than the Japanese have in their last five outings combined (five).

Spain's attack is also non-stop, recording 24 shots (11 on goal) through its first two World Cup matches so far. Considering how Japan allowed a goal while only seeing four shooting attempts from Costa Rica, I really think that the Japanese will be too overwhelmed by Spain's offense.

Final Score Prediction: Spain: 2 | Japan: 0

Japan vs Spain Betting Trends

- Japan lost to Costa Rica, 1-0, in its last 2022 World Cup match on Nov. 27, 2022.
- Spain played Germany to a 1-1 draw in its last 2022 World Cup match on Nov. 27, 2022.
- Japan is 2-1-2 (W-D-L) in its last five matches.
- Spain is 3-1-1 (W-D-L) in its last five matches.
- Japan defeated Spain, 1-0, in their only head-to-head matchup on July 26, 2012.

Japan vs Spain Best Bet

Spain is one of the favorites to win the World Cup and it'll showcase its dominance over Japan on Thursday. With the Japanese falling 1-0 to the same Costa Rican team that Spain hammered 7-0 last week, I can see the latter winning this one by two-plus goals.

Back Spain to cover the 1-goal spread as the best bet here.

Bet: Spain -1 (+120)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.