World Cup action continues as Japan face the Netherlands in Group F.
These two are the two highest-rated teams in the group, with both the Netherlands and Japan many people's dark horses to go far at World Cup 2026.
Who can take advantage and put themselves top of the group ahead of Sweden and Tunisia kicking off later?
Netherlands vs Japan prediction
Unlike classic Dutch sides of yesteryear who boasted free-flowing forwards, the strengths of manager Ronald Koeman's selection lies in defence and defensive midfield: fittingly, for a man who played in that position.
Virgil van Dijk captains the Oranje, with Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke and Nathan Ake as other centre-back options, while Ryan Gravenberch and Frenkie De Jong will likely screen the backline.
With respect, the attack isn't quite as impressive: Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders have had underwhelming seasons in England, while all-time top scorer Memphis Depay is still leading the line and playing in Brazil.
Japan, meanwhile, are missing Kaoru Mitoma in attack, but have an incredibly cohesive side, with Ayase Ueda, Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamada serious options going forward.
As England found out at Wembley in March, the Japanese are an efficient pressing machine, but with the Texan heat a factor in this one, they may have to pick and choose when to get at Koeman's side.
The Dutch will likely dictate proceedings with De Jong and Gravenberch supreme technicians – along with the backline, of course – with the game likely to be a chess match between two sides who would settle for a draw.
Unlike Brazil's draw with Morocco last night, however, can either of these two boast A-list individuals to unlock their opponents?
Expect something a little like the England game in March: Japan have the quality to manufacture two or three openings, while the Netherlands have plenty of runners and technicians with good movement, without boasting a top-class playmaker to pick the locks.
If Japan net first, the task becomes trickier for a Dutch side built to take advantage on the break: yet if it gets to the hydration break in the second half and it's still 1-0, neither side are going to break their back when a point will suffice.
- Score prediction: Netherlands 0-1 Japan
