World Cup Picks: Best Bets in U.S. vs. Japan Friendly
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The U.S. men's national soccer team comes into its game against Japan as the underdog as it looks to move on from a slightly underwhelming World Cup qualifying campaign and a slow start to its Nations League season.
U.S. Needs Good Showing vs. Japan
The Americans have qualified for the World Cup but did so by the narrowest of margins.
Both Mexico and Canada finished above them in the qualifying group, while Costa Rica finished level on points with them and only behind the USMNT on goals difference.
In another year against better opposition, the USMNT may not have even qualified.
Now up against Japan in a friendly, we’ve chosen our betting picks for the game.
A same-game parlay of our picks is +1679 with FanDuel Sportsbook.
USMNT Odds to Beat Japan and Both Teams to Score
Although form across the World Cup qualifiers brought in many negative questions for the USMNT, it has managed to improve results ever since.
Since losing the last qualifier game to Costa Rica 2-0, it has gone on to beat Morocco 3-0, tie with Uruguay, beat Grenada 5-0, and also tie with El Salvador. It means a four-game unbeaten run for the Americans, in which they have scored eight goals and let in only one.
At the same time, Japan has been running riot across fixtures in Asia, beating Son Heung-min’s South Korea in the EAFF East Asian Cup 3-0, not long after tying with China 0-0 and beating Hong Kong 6-0.
Both teams are in great goal-scoring form, but we think the USMNT will have the upper hand and win the game with Japan continuing to score.
The USMNT to win and both teams to score is +490 with FanDuel Sportsbook.
Jesus Ferreira Odds to Score First
What a season it has been for Jesus Ferreira. The Dallas star is the highest-scoring American in the MLS this year with 18 goals. Only Hany Mukhtar (Nashville), Sebastian Driussi (Austin) and Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia) have outscored him.
What’s more, Ferreira has gotten a starting role more often with the USMNT, playing eight times in 2022 and scoring five goals. Considering he had only scored twice in six games before this, it shows how much the 21-year-old has improved in front of goal.
Ferreira will likely start once again and with his exceptional goal scoring form in 2022, we’re picking him to get the game’s first goal.
Ferreira to score first is +600 with FanDuel Sportsbook.
Over 2.5 Goals in U.S. vs. Japan Game
Goals are certainly expected in this one with Japan and the USMNT netting a combined 17 goals across in the past three games they've played.
What's more, at the same time with Ferreira getting chances to score, Japan also has plenty of names looking to prove their worth.
Kyogo Furuhashi has been sensational so far with Celtic this season, scoring six times in eight games for the Hoops in Scotland.
Former Liverpool star, Takumi Minamino, is also expected to play here and is also looking for his 18th goal in 43 games for Japan, scoring six of those in his past 16 games.
Over 2.5 goals in the game +104 with FanDuel Sportsbook.
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