In his latest column for The Sporting News, former England striker and J. League star Jay Bothroyd runs through his predictions for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Before looking at the tournament as a whole, Jay ran the rule over how all three of Japan’s matches in a devilishly tough Group E might shape up.
Japan vs Germany
There's pressure on Germany to do well this year because of the players they've got and the performances they've put in during the last tournaments. They're one of the best sides, they've got a really good squad, they've got depth.
These players play in the UEFA Champions League and in big games every single season for some of the best teams in Europe. I can see Germany winning the group and going at least to the quarterfinals.
The vulnerable part of Japan is the defence, but I would say the same thing about Germany, and you can exploit that. With attacking talent like Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry, Germany will commit more players going forward.
With Japan's attacking players, that's where they can exploit them, especially with the pace and the speed of Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma.
I think it'll be close for part of the game, but towards the end Germany will grab another couple of goals. There's a way to lose a game — If you put in a good performance and show good energy and good fight there's no shame in losing against a nation like Germany.
Prediction: Japan 1-3 Germany
Japan vs Costa Rica
This is the game that needs to be the focus for Japan. They are the favourites for me against Costa Rica. Player-for-player, they're better. They need to get three points and then that takes them into the last game of the group stage with something.
Maybe a point against Spain will see them through, but they need to get that win against Germany or Costa Rica first. Once they get that win, that will give them confidence.
Prediction: Japan 2-1 Costa Rica
Spain haven't had a good time recently, in terms of major competitions. They haven't won a World Cup knockout game since winning the final in 2010. If things don't start well for them, they'll have pressure from the media and the players who aren't playing will moan.
Japan losing against Germany and putting in a good performance against Spain — they can be happy with that.
There's more pressure on someone like Spain and Germany to do well than Japan, because there's no expectation on Japan with Spain and Germany in the same group. That's why I think Japan can use that as a positive.
Prediction: Japan 1-1 Spain
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England expects…
England are in a tough position. Being ranked in the top five in the world you have to go out there and produce. We got to the semifinal of the World Cup in 2018, the final of the Euros last year. There's expectation to win a competition now.
We've had a few key injuries, Reece James being one. Hopefully Kyle Walker is going to be okay. No one really knows what the best formation is, I'm not even sure Gareth Southgate does. I know what he'd like to play, but I'm not sure it's the best one. Anything less than a semifinal finish is a failure.
I don't think England will win the World Cup. For the quality of players we have, we don't keep the ball that well. When we play against other top nations we end up playing on the counter-attack. I know when you play against someone like Germany, Spain, Argentina or Brazil they have great players, but you still expect there to be similar possession. We need to do that better — we need to control the tempo better and we need to go out there with a belief that we can win, not just protect.
Jude Bellingham could help in that regard. He's way ahead of his years. He plays with a real maturity, and he's got that drive. He's box-to-box, he’s industrious, he can tackle, he can dribble, he can pass. He's a fantastic player.
James Maddison getting selected, I love that. He's had a fantastic season for Leicester City, and he deserves to be in there because he's a player in form. If fit, I think he could be really effective — the underdog player who has a great tournament.
I don't believe Harry Maguire should be in Qatar. He’s only played 280 minutes of Premier League football this season. He's a defender that can only play in a back three, which hinders the England team.
Winners — Argentina
I said well before the tournament started they were my favourites, because they've got great attacking options and a good defence now, as well as a good midfield. They've got depth. Also, if England can't do it, I'd love to see Messi lift the World Cup.
Dark horses — Uruguay
They've got really good players, who are effective. Federico Valverde at Real Madrid, Rodrigo Bentancur at Tottenham, the experience of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. They've got a good blend, with defenders like Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid and Matias Vina from Roma.
They might not be household names, but if you put them together and they have that unity and team spirit they're the kind of team that can go and get results.
Darwin Nunez is a real handful. Even though I don't think he's the best player technically, not the most intelligent striker, he's a handful. And if you've got a player like that up against you, he can cause problems.
Golden Boot — Lionel Messi
It depends on the team that goes the deepest and things like who takes penalties. Harry Kane in the last World Cup scored three penalties and went home with the Golden Boot, scoring six overall. If I have to choose I will go for Messi. He's going to be on penalties, he's going to be on free-kicks, he's around other great players as well.
Breakthrough player — Youssoufa Moukoko
It’s tough, because there are so many good young players. I think Bellingham is definitely in the conversation. Pedri from Spain is one to watch as well. But Moukoko, the 18-year-old forward for Germany, could surprise a few people.
If he gets on the pitch and does well and scores a goal, I think he'll stay in the team. He's fast, he's got good quality on the ball and he can be dangerous.
Germany have not had that out-and-out striker for a while. Before they had loads — Jurgen Klinsmann, Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez. They've been lacking that, but maybe Moukoko can be the guy.