England v Japan: International friendly predictions, bets and odds

England v Japan: International friendly predictions, bets and odds
England v Japan: International friendly predictions, bets and oddsFlashscore

England play their second home friendly in four days when hosting Japan on Tuesday evening. Football betting content creator Frank Monkhouse has three picks to consider.

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The iconic Wembley Stadium in North London provides the backdrop for a historic friendly match involving England and Japan.

The locals faced two-time world champions Uruguay here on Friday and make a quickfire return as they prepare for World Cup 2026. The fans will be out in force, with millions more following live on television and streaming apps.

The history books show the Three Lions and Samurai Blue have met only twice before. Japan have never beaten England, drawing the first meeting 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium in 2004.

The second match produced a memorable 2-1 win for England in Austria. Japan took an early lead that day, but lost after scoring two own goals near the end of the match.

Will England use home advantage to protect their proud unbeaten record in this fixture? Perhaps you expect the visitors to finally defeat their hosts.

The leading online sportsbooks offer over 100 pre-match betting markets, including match-winner and both teams to score. Flashscore's Frank Monkhouse offers his three professional predictions at useful odds.

England v Japan tips

England win @ 4/7 (bet365)

Both teams to score @ 10/11 (bet365)

Both score and England win @ 11/4 (bet365)

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Match winner - England

My first England vs Japan bet to consider is a home win. Manager Thomas Tuchel successfully led his team through qualifying. They made the World Cup with room to spare, crossing the line with a perfect record after eight games. As was the case in Friday's 1-1 draw with Uruguay, England won't be at full strength, but I'm happy that home advantage will make the difference.

In their previous two competitive matches, played late last year, England defeated Serbia and Albania, both by a 2-0 scoreline.

Those results took their qualifying tally to an impressive 22 goals scored, with zero conceded. That solid defence gave the midfielders confidence to get forward, with England having the quality in attack to turn chances into goals.

With the likes of Ben White, Harvey Barnes, Harry McGuire, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin included in the 35-man squad, there will be a few names desperate to make an impression.

Tuesday is likely their final chance to secure a space on that flight to the US, Mexico and Canada. I expect high energy from the locals, and I'm picking a narrow home win.

Tip: England win @ 4/7 (bet365)

Bet explanation: If England defeat Japan in midweek, you'll beat the bookies.

Both teams to score - yes

Moving on to my second prediction, and we're trusting both teams to score. You'll find this market on the Bet365 app, and you can bet as a single or add it to your midweek multiples.

You are no longer concerned about which team wins at Wembley; all you need is for England and Japan to find the net at least once during the friendly match in London.

The head-to-head stats available on the Flashscore app show a bet on both teams to score landed in each of the previous two meetings.

The teams drew 1-1 before England nicked a 2-1 win last time. Unfortunately, the most recent clash was 16 years ago, so we can't read too much into that. Let's focus on how both nations have performed in recent friendlies.

England ended 1-1 last time, but scored three goals when beating Wales at Wembley in October. That win came after losing 3-1 to Senegal at the City Ground last summer.

Japan played three friendly matches near the end of 2025, finishing with an aggregate score of 8-2. They also won 1-0 at Hampden on Saturday. Both teams have the firepower to score, and neither will be at full strength. Back both teams to score.

Tip: Both teams to score @ 10/11 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You need both England and Japan to score at least one goal each.

BTTS and result - Yes and England

As usual, I wrap things up with a prediction at higher odds. Having picked England to win and both teams to score as two singles, we combine the pair.

You can bet on both teams to score in an England win at a fantastic price. As the name suggests, you want to see a home win on Tuesday, but Japan must score at least one goal in defeat. That's certainly possible.

The odds available on this bet allow followers to target a decent return off a small stake. You need both parts of the bet to land, or the bookie keeps your stake.

Focusing on how both nations performed in qualifying adds weight to our claims. In Group K, England scored 22 goals. Japan topped Group C with 30 goals in 10 games, conceding just three.

I wouldn't be as keen to back both teams to score if this were a World Cup fixture. On their day, both England and Japan are solid in defence and razor sharp on the break.

However, with Tuchel and Hajime Moriyasu experimenting with their line-ups before things get serious, goals are more likely. Given their travel and just three days recovery from their game in Glasgow, Japan will put up a fight, but fall short.

Tip: England win and BTTS @ 11/4 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You need England to win, but Japan to score.

England v Japan odds

England win @ 4/7 (bet365)

Draw @ 16/5 (bet365)

Japan win @ 4/1 (bet365)

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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.