Tunisia vs Japan will mark the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. Japan earned a point from an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their opening Group F fixture, while Tunisia enter the second round surrounded by uncertainty.
Following a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden, the Tunisian Football Federation dismissed coach Sabri Lamouchi and appointed Hervé Renard as his replacement.
Whether Renard can transform Tunisia’s fortunes within just a few days remains a major question. What is beyond doubt, however, is Japan’s quality and consistency. Coach Hajime Moriyasu has guided the Samurai Blue to a seven-match unbeaten run, including six consecutive victories before the draw against the Netherlands.
Against the Dutch, Japan won four corner kicks, with one of them leading directly to the move that produced their equalizing goal. Nevertheless, it is important to note that only two of Japan’s last ten matches have gone Over in the total corner market.
Tunisia’s corner statistics are even less impressive. In their last five matches, the North African side has failed to win more than four corners in any game, while losing the Asian corner handicap in four of those five matches.
Full-Match Corner Pick
- Japan to win the corner handicap.
- Under total corners.
First-Half Corner Analysis
Tunisia have averaged just 1.3 first-half corners across their last five matches.
During that period, they lost the first-half corner differential in four games.
Japan have also not been particularly aggressive in generating early corners. Across their last seven matches, the Samurai Blue have reached or exceeded three first-half corners only once.
Another notable trend is that the last three meetings between Tunisia and Japan have all produced an Under result in the first-half corner market.
Given both teams’ recent statistical profiles, a low-corner first half appears likely.
First-Half Corner Pick
- Japan to win the first-half corner handicap.
- Under first-half corners.
Team News
Tunisia
Tunisia have a fully available squad, although new coach Hervé Renard may switch from the previous manager’s 3-5-2 formation to a four-man defensive setup.
Japan
Takefusa Kubo will miss the match after suffering a knee injury during the draw with the Netherlands.
Right-back Yukinari Sugawara could be handed a place in the starting lineup.
Predicted Lineups
Tunisia
Chamakh; Valery, Rekik, Talbi, Ali Abdi; Skhiri, Khedira; Achouri, Hannibal, Gharbi; Chaouat.
Japan
Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, H. Ito; Sugawara, Kamada, Sano, Nakamura; Doan, Maeda; Ueda.
Recommended Corner Bets
Full Match
- Japan to win the corner handicap.
- Under total corners.
First Half
- Japan to win the first-half corner handicap.
- Under first-half corners.