Myanmar - Japan predictions and free betting tips [06/06/2024]

On Thursday, 6 June, in the fifth round of the World Cup 2026 qualifying tournament, Myanmar will host Japan at their home ground. The hosts have lost their tournament motivation, having earned only one point in four matches, while Japan has long since secured a spot in the next round. 

Stadium

The match will take place in Yangon at the Thuwunna Stadium.

Myanmar

Myanmar is deservedly considered an underdog in Asian football. The team has never qualified for a World Cup and has only participated in one AFC Asian Cup in its history (eliminated in the group stage in 1968). In the second round of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, which began last November, the team performed poorly and is at the bottom of Group B with just one point from four matches.

Michael Feichtenbeiner's side managed a home draw with Syria (1:1) but suffered heavy defeats in other matches against Japan (5:0), South Korea (6:1), and Syria again (7:0). Conceding 19 goals, Myanmar holds the second-worst defensive record in this stage of the qualifiers, having scored only two goals. In addition, the yellow-greens perform poorly at home, with only two victories in their last 13 home games across all competitions. 

Japan

Having participated in the last seven World Cups, Japan demonstrates logical superiority over its opponents in this second round of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Indeed, the "Samurais" are unstoppable (4 wins) and sit comfortably atop the standings. The visitors have consecutively defeated Myanmar (5:0), Syria (5:0), and North Korea twice in March— the second leg had to be cancelled and FIFA's disciplinary committee awarded a 3:0 technical victory.

Following their Round of 16 exit at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the red and whites disappointed their fans by being knocked out by Iran in the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Notably, Hajime Moriyasu's side has conceded more than one goal only once in their last five matches across all competitions. Additionally, the visitors are unbeaten in their last seven away qualifiers. 

Head-to-Head

In the first round, Japan crushed their opponents on home soil (5:0), with the two previous encounters also ending in routs (10:0 and 2:0).

Match Prediction: Myanmar vs Japan

Despite the advantage of the home ground, modest Myanmar will struggle to compete against a team of Japan's calibre. The red and whites have steamrolled through opponents in the current qualifying campaign and comfortably secured first place. The gap in class between these teams is enormous, so I am backing Japan to win with a -4.5 handicap.

Total Prediction

Japan boasts an exceptionally strong attacking line-up for an Asian team and is likely to score a few goals. I am backing the visitors' individual total over 4.5.

Corner Prediction

The visitors far outclass their opponents and will attack in waves. I am backing Japan to win on corners with a -4.5 handicap.

Yellow Card Prediction

The hosts will spend a lot of time defending against the star-studded opponent's attack. I am backing Myanmar to win on yellow cards with a -1.5 handicap.

Score Prediction

I am predicting a 4:0 win in favour of Japan.