USA vs. Japan Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks: International Friendly Best Bets
My USA vs. Japan prediction outlines how the United States will fail to get back to winning ways in Tuesday’s encounter with Japan at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
Coming off a defeat against South Korea, head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s struggling United States team faces another difficult international friendly against +120 betting favorite Japan. Japan will look to take advantage and come away from the game with a narrow win over an unstable United States team that’s been a mess under the Argentine tactician.
My soccer picks analyze how the USA's recent struggles will continue, while also providing a look at how Japan’s star on the left wing will terrorize the hosts’ defense.
⚽ USA vs. Japan prediction
International Friendly odds subject to change.
- Moneyline pick: Japan (+120 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
- Against the spread pick: Both teams to score (-138 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Over/Under pick: Over 2.5 (-115 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📝 USA vs. Japan preview & best bet
Both teams to score (-138) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Neither team found the back of the net last week, but that won’t be a factor for two talented squads looking to end the international break on a positive note. I’m expecting both teams to score in what could be an open and entertaining contest with nothing but pride on the line in Tuesday’s international friendly.
The United States was held scoreless in last week’s 2-0 loss to South Korea, but it’s difficult to envision Christian Pulisic and Co. going two games without a goal, especially at home. The last time the United States was shutout in back-to-back games was in 2022 against Saudi Arabia and, coincidentally, Japan.
Meanwhile, Japan will aim to take advantage of a United States side that has struggled with consistency since Maucio Pochettino was appointed as head coach one year ago. The United States is also in the middle of a five-game losing skid against teams ranked 25th or higher by FIFA, a streak that could be extended if they don’t contain an attack that’s lifted Japan to 17th in the rankings.
A successful wager on a $10 bet on both teams scoring pays out $17.27.
💰 Best USA vs. Japan player prop bet
🔥 Karou Mitoma anytime goalscorer (+280) ⭐⭐
The threat that Karou Mitoma poses on the left probably hasn’t gone unnoticed by the USA's coaching staff. But all of that scouting could prove pointless in the end, as the Brighton & Hove Albion winger poses enough of a threat from the left to decide games on his own.
With the United States proving vulnerable at right-back, Mitoma could be set to play a key role in Japan’s attacking scheme. After the 28-year-old scored 11 goals for Brighton last season, he’s been held without a goal so far to begin the new season. But that could change against the vulnerable United States as he searches for his first goal for Japan since 2021.
If the left winger scores Tuesday, a $10 bet at the best soccer betting websites pays a $28 profit.
📊 USA vs. Japan odds
Here are the USA vs. Japan odds from DraftKings:
- Moneyline: USA +205 | Draw +240 | Japan +125
- Total goals: 2.5 | Over -120 | Under -120
- Both teams to score: Yes -150 | No +110
📈 USA vs. Japan betting odds analysis
The opening odds have Japan as the slight favorite to beat the United States men’s national team in Tuesday’s international friendly.
It’s a good time to find value in betting on the United States as an underdog at home, but recent form suggests it could be a long night at the office against Japan.
🔢 USA vs. Japan results
USA vs. Japan history courtesy of 11v11.com.
| Date | Competition | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 23, 2022 | King Japan Cup | Japan 2-0 United States | Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf |
| February 10, 2006 | International Friendly | United States 3-2 Japan | SBC Stadium, San Francisco |
| March 14, 1993 | Kirin Challenge Cup | Japan 3-1 United States | Yoyoki National Stadium, Tokyo |
📺 USA vs. Japan game info
- When: Tuesday, Sept. 9
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Columbus, Ohio
- How to watch: TNT, HBO Max, Peacock
❓ USA vs. Japan FAQs
Who is favored to win USA vs. Japan?
Japan is a +120 betting favorite on the three-way moneyline over the United States (+215)
What is the Over/Under for USA vs. Japan?
The total for the United States vs. Japan game is set at O/U 2.5 goals, with juice on the Under (-120)
What are the best bets for USA vs. Japan?
My best bets for the United States vs. Japan include both teams to score and Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma to score.
When is the USA vs. Japan game?
The United States vs. Japan international friendly starts at 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT, HBO Max, Peacock) from the Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
How do soccer odds work?
When betting on soccer, the spread shows how many goals the favorite needs to win by in order to cash the bet. For example, a favorite of -1.5 must win by 2 or more goals to cover the spread, while an underdog at +1.5 must win outright or lose by fewer than 1 goal to cover the spread.
Moneyline odds represent the payout for picking the outright winner (+200 means a $100 bet wins $200, while -200 means a $200 bet wins $100). Over/Unders let you wager on whether the combined total will be higher or lower than the set number.
You can determine the payouts and implied probabilities for any wager - or convert odds to different formats - with our odds converter.
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