Brazil v Japan – Confederations Cup Preview

Betting Tips | Article posted on June 13th, 2025

The Confederations Cup begins on Saturday as hosts Brazil face Japan, who are fresh from topping their FIFA World Cup qualification group. This sesaon’s competition is a particularly attractive one, featuring world champions Spain. The tournament provides an aperetif to next year’s FIFA World Cup finals.

Brazil have selected an attractive looking squad and will be relying upon the likes of Neymar, Hulk and Oscar to open up the Japanese back four, which is light on international experience and top-class quality.

Brazil will not be at full strength, however, with long-term Tottenham transfer target Leandro Damiao withdrawing from the tournament following an injury to his right thigh. The North London club are still expected to sign the Brazilian at some point this summer.

The Japanese are not short on creative quality either with Shinji Kagawa of Manchester United in their ranks, the pint-sized midfielder having won the Premier League in his first season at Old Trafford.

Kagawa will line up as an inside left and look to cut inside, linking up with Keisuke Honda and Shinji Okazaki as Japan’s best chance of finding a way past Julio Cesar.

The Brazilians are fresh from a 3-0 friendly win over France, their first triumph over Les Blues for 21 years, while Japan were victorious against Iraq in their final World Cup qualifier. Japan would be more than satisfied with a point against the hosts, and are certainly the outsiders to qualify from a group also comprising Italy and Mexico.

After Brazil’s triumph in the the last two Confederations Cups, the three-time winners, and most successful international team in history, will be expected to begin their campaign with a win in front of their home fans.

The locals will not be the only ones with their eyes on this game as the whole world scrutinises the ability of modern-day Brazil to host a major international tournament ahead of the main event next year. With rumours of some organisational difficulties, the Samba nation will be keen to dispel such concerns.

Question marks also hang over the team itself, with Brazil only able to secure an unconvincing draw against an England team that has not exactly set the world alight in recent outings.

Previous Meetings

International Friendlies ‎(FR)‎ Oct 16, 2025 – Japan 0 – Brazil 4
World Cup Qualification 2025 ‎(WC)‎ Jun 22, 2025 – Japan 1 – Brazil 4

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Brazil (possible 4-3-3)

12 Julio Cesar
02 Alves
03 Thiago Silva
04 David Luiz
14 Filipe
11 Oscar
17 Dias
18 Paulinho
09 Fred
10 Neymar
19 Hulk

Substitutes:

01 Jefferson
22 Cavalieri
06 Marcelo
15 Dante
16 Araujo Rever
05 Fernando Martins
07 da Silva Lucas
08 Hernanes
13 Jean
20 Bernard
23 Jadson

Betting Prediction

Brazil walloped Japan recently in a friendly, and it’s hard to see anything other than a comfortable victory for the South American side. Japan will put up some form of resistance, but I expect Brazil’s forward line to be too strong for the Japanese defence.

Final Scoreline Prediction:Brazil 3 – 0 Japan

Other Recommended Bets: Brazil win Under 2.5 Goals, Both Teams to Score.