Italy v Japan – Confederations Cup Preview and Betting Tips

Betting Tips | Article posted on June 18th, 2025

Japan’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup already look forlorn, after they were comfortably beaten in their opening fixture 3 – 0 by the host nation Brazil. Meanwhile, Italy produced a typically gritty display to squeeze past Mexico by a scoreline of 2 – 1, and the notoriously slow starters will have been happy to kick-start their tournament with a win against an awkward opponent.

Cesare Prandelli's team played some good football at times against the Mexicans, and there is certainly a little more flair in this particular Italian team than some of their more recent iterations. Mexico were put to the sword thanks to moments of individual brilliance from Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli, and this seems a team who are capable of scoring goals out of nothing; a rare and desirable quotient for an Italian side who have often been considered functional of late.

On the other hand, the Italians are hugely reliant on their talismanic midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, thus Japan may employ Makoto Haseb in a man-marking role to cancel out Italy's midfield schemer. Regardless of their approach, it seems highly likely that Japan will fulfill their pre-tournament prediction of finishing bottom of the group, as not too many observers will expect them to get much of of this fixture, leaving them rock bottom with no points from two fixtures.

Italy look to be able to pick the same eleven as started against Mexico, with no fresh injury worries ahead of this match. However, Stephan El Shaarawy remains unavailable due to injury.

While, Pirlo is definitively the star performer on show in this match, Japan will rely on Keisuke Honda to provide spark to their game on Wednesday. The CSKA Moscow midfield player is currently seeking a transfer away from the Russian club, and may use this match as an opportunity to put his not inconsiderable talents in the shop window. If he plays at his best, and Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa can get on the ball, then the Japanese may cause the Italians a few problems.

Italy (possible 4-2-3-1)

G. Buffon
I. Abate
A. Barzagli
G. Chiellini
M. De Sciglio
A. Pirlo
D. De Rossi
R. Montolivo
E. Giaccherini
C. Marchisio
M. Balotelli

Substitutes:

A. Gilardino
C. Maggio
F. Marchetti
A. Aquilani
A. Cerci
A. Diamanti
S. Sirigu
L. Bonucci
S. Giovinco
A. Candreva
D. Astori
S. El Shaarawy

Japan (possible 4-2-3-1)

Kawashima, Konno, Nagatomo, Uchida, Yoshida, Endo,
Honda, Kiyotake, Kagawa, Hasebe, Okazaki.

Subs: Nishikawa, Inoha, Gotuko Sakai, Havenaar, Hosogai, Nakamura, Kurihara, Maeda, Inui, Takahashi, Hiroki Sakai, Gonda.

Betting Prediction

Japan are up against it to qualify in this tournament, and I don’t expect them to get anything from this game against a much more experienced and classy Italian side. I think the Europeans will keep a clean sheet and win this one by two goals to nil.

Final Scoreline Prediction:Italy 2 – 0 Japan

Other Recommended Bets: Italy to win Over 2.5 Goals, Both Teams to Score.