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England vs Japan Predictions - Japan can get close against out of form England
Listen
- Watch England vs Japan in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday (21:00 SAST)
- England beat Argentina in their tournament opener
- Can Japan send England back to the doldrums?
Expired
Japan can get close to England (Getty Images)
England vs Japan Preview
England are favourites to win but this should be a very competitive game. While I do believe England will win over 80 minutes, the 22-point handicap is a bit steep for me, especially given their form. I’m backing Japan to get within that margin.
- England vs Japan Preview
- Head to Head
- England Injuries & Team News
- Japan Form
- Japan Injuries & Team News
- England have won all 8 previous matches against Japan.
- England beat Argentina 27-10 in their last match.
- England have lost 3 of their last 5 matches.
- Japan beat Chile by 30 points in their last match.
Head to Head
England have won all eight matches against Japan, their last one being a 52-13 win in 2022.
England Form
England wasted no time in entering knock-out stage rugby in their World Cup opener. In reality, given their recent form, which includes a home defeat to Fiji, it was as good as knock-out against Argentina.
It turned into the George Ford show as he kicked all of England 27 points in a 27-10 success. It wasn’t pretty but it was a tactical masterclass from Ford who kept Argentina pinned in their own half for long periods.
It is the kind of rugby that is often needed when you reach the knockout stage of the World Cup. Make no mistake, England are not playing exceptionally well, and they certainly don’t look like they will be world champions come 28 October, but they do have quality and enough of it to beat Japan.
England Injuries & Team News
England started well but can’t afford to slip against Japan, a team they could easily come unstuck against. I expect the English to be close to full strength for this encounter.
Japan Form
Japan are not the team of 2015 and 2019 World Cup’s this year. They still have a very good side that plays entertaining rugby, but they are not as clinical as they were when they reached the quarter final four years ago.
That does not mean they should be written off, especially against an England side who have shown plenty of frailties. If the Brave Blossoms get momentum in the game, it could swing very quickly in their favour.
Japan will however have to match England at set piece and manage the tactical game the English will no doubt bring. Whether they can do that remains to be seen.
Japan beat Chile 42-12 in their opening Rugby World Cup match. They struggled for large periods but pulled away late in the game.
Japan Injuries & Team News
In order to qualify Japan are going to have to beat two of Samoa, England and Argentina at the very least. So I don’t expect them to rest players for this clash.
Verdict
Japan are backed to get within 22 points of England during this World Cup clash.
Japan +22
Handicap
@1.91 - 4 Units
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