Venue: Mangaung / Bloemfontein, South Africa
On the 14th of June in Bloemfontein, Group E’s second match will be played out between Japan and Cameroon. The game kicks off at 16:00 local time.
With Cameroon at 100/1 to win the cup, similar to other group rivals Denmark, and Japan at 250/1, Cameroon are expected to win this fixture, with some bookmakers only offering evens, and the best price just 6/5 from Tote Sport, Sky Bet, 888sport and Paddy Power, among others.
Cameroon are the third favourite to be the top African team in the tournament after the Ivory Coast and Ghana, with most bookmakers offering 11/2 for this possibility. Cameroon have previously done well in international tournaments, though they were disappointed to go out in the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations to eventual winners Egypt.
Japan’s odds to win this game are longer by far, with the best price being 13/5 with William Hill. Most bookies seem to be favouring a draw over a Japan win, but the best price on the draw is 23/10 with bet365.
Japan are second favourites after Australia to be the top Asia/Oceania team, at 7/2, which is above South Korea who have performed well in the past.
On the correct score market, a 1-0 win will get you (best odds) 6/1 for Cameroon and 8/1 for Japan, both from Victor Chandler. Cameroon 2-0 is 17/2 from William Hill, and 2-1 is 8/1 from bet365. Japan 2-0 is 16/1 or 2/1 is 12/1, both from PaddyPower.
Cameroon are at 3/4 to be the first team to score in Bloemfontein on the 14th of June, with Japan at 7/5. Best odds on a no goal draw are 7/1.
The teams have played once before in 2007, when Japan won the friendly match 2-0. That same result on match day in South Africa is, as previously mentioned, worth 16/1.
Prediction
As the favourites both overall and in this fixture, Cameroon look like they should emerge as the winners here. With the African climate working in their favour and hopefully plenty of support, Cameroon should have what it takes to take away the full three points from their first game. They will be in competition with Denmark to qualify alongside group favourites Holland, so will be keen to win this, which should be their easiest fixture.
