FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Japan vs Spain Match Preview, Team News, Possible Lineups, and Fantasy Football Prediction

Wellington Regional Stadium will host Japan vs Spain clash on Monday. Spain and Japan have both already secured their spot in the round of 16. They will be now looking for the top spot on Monday. La Roja cruised to a comfortable victory over Zambia in their recent outing at the Women's World Cup 2023, while Japan claimed a 2-0 win against Costa Rica on Matchday Two. After registering a 5-0 win in their opening game against Zambia, Japan added three more points against Costa Rica. The 2011 World Cup winners are currently sitting in second place on goal difference.

Spain are also in a very good run after defeating Costa Rica and Zambia in their opening two games. Costa Rica were defeated on Matchday One by a 3-0 scoreline, and they went on to register five more goals in Wednesday's clash against Zambia. Jorge Vilda's side only needs a point to secure the top spot, but they will be targeting all three points as they look to continue their winning run.

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FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Japan vs Spain Match Preview

Match Details

• Match: Japan vs Spain
• Kickoff time & Date: 31/07/2023 | 12:30 P.M. (IST)
• Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
• Where to watch: Fancode (India) and DD Sports

Japan vs Spain | Head-to-head

This will be the fifth meeting between Japan and Spain. Spain won thrice and drew the other. Japan are looking to register a World Cup win against a nation ranked inside the top 10 for the first time since July 2015. Spain are on an eight-game winning streak, keeping a clean sheet seven times, including the last six.None of Japan's last 13 World Cup group games have ended in a scoring draw. Jenifer Hermoso's last 25 competitive international goals for Spain have come in wins with clean sheets. Japan have qualified for the World Cup knockouts in the last four editions.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Japan vs Spain | Team News

Japan:

Japan boss Futoshi Ikeda must also decide whether to go all-out or rest players ahead of the last 16. Ikeda already rotated heavily in the previous game against Costa Rica, with Jun Endo, Hinata Miyazawa, Rion Ishikawa, and Fuka Nagano all starting on the bench.

Shiori Miyake is most likely to reclaim her place in the back three alongside Saki Kumagai and Moeke Minami. Liverpool's Fuka Nagano dropped out of the starting lineup on Matchday Two. She could be recalled to the lineup for Monday's encounter. Naomoto is likely to start for a second straight game and is expected to be joined in the forward line by Mina Tanaka and Fujino.

Spain:

Forwards Athenea del Castillo and Salma Paralluelo both finished the win over Zambia with injury issues. Jorge Vilda will be without two key players against Japan. Alexia Putellas, who played 15 minutes in La Selección's opening game and 45 versus Zambia, Vilda prefers to use recovering players gradually, building them up for the next phase. Hermoso will continue to lead the line for La Roja. She will be joined in the front three by Salma Paralluelo and Mariona Caldentey.

Possible Lineups

Japan Women's possible starting lineup:
Yamashita; Miyake, Kumagai, Minami; Shimizu, Hayashi, Sugita, Nagano; Naomoto, Tanaka, Fujino

Spain Women's possible starting lineup:
Misa; Battle, Paredes, Ivana, Carmona; Abelleira, Bonmati, Putellas; Paralluelo, Caldentey, Hermoso