Japan vs Venezuela Prediction 28 September 2026
🔊 Japan wasted little time switching focus from the World Cup to a new cycle. In the summer they were again knocked out at the first knockout stage, losing to Brazil (1-2), before beating Uruguay (3-1) in their first autumn fixture - with two of those goals coming after the 90th minute. That result gave head coach Hajime Moriyasu both a win and a useful opportunity to continue experimenting ahead of the Asian Cup.
Now Venezuela come to Hiroshima - a side who again watched the World Cup from the outside. The South Americans once more fell just short of qualifying, and have since begun a new project under Oswaldo Vizcarrondo.
Venezuela are playing with unexpected confidence
📊 The two sides have met twice. Japan have not won either meeting - in 2018 the teams drew 1-1, and a year later Venezuela won convincingly 4-1. The aggregate score is 5-2 in favour of the South Americans, with an average of 3.5 goals per game.
Head-to-head statistics Japan - Venezuela
Japan have reignited their attacking play following the World Cup.
At the World Cup, Japan came through a tough group - drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands, thrashing Tunisia 4-0 and drawing 1-1 with Sweden. In the Round of 32, Brazil proved too strong, winning 2-1, though Japan had taken the lead.
That attacking momentum carried into the autumn. Japan scored three times against Uruguay, and the goals came from beyond the usual leaders. For Moriyasu, that is a particularly encouraging sign ahead of a run of friendlies, as the options available to him up front are growing.
Match Results: Japan
Venezuela have kicked off a new era under Viscarrondo
Venezuela fought for a World Cup 2026 play-off spot until the final round of qualifying, but a 6-3 defeat to Colombia dropped them to eighth place. In January, Vizcarrondo was officially appointed head coach, and the federation simultaneously launched a long-term project running to 2034, with the clear aim of finally reaching a first-ever World Cup.
The early results of the new cycle have been uneven but not disastrous. In 2026, Venezuela beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-1, drew 0-0 with Uzbekistan, lost to Turkey 1-2, and then beat Iraq 2-0. Across those four matches, they scored seven goals and conceded three.
Match Results: Venezuela
Latest news
Japan
❌ Takehiro Tomiyasu has not joined the current camp due to injury.
Venezuela
🚑 Keiber Lamadrid is out with an injury. Vizcarrondo has also deliberately left out several experienced senior players.
⚽ Goals Prediction
Japan do not look like a side that wants to play it safe in friendlies. Four of their last five matches have produced at least three goals, and across that run they have scored 11 times themselves. The trend continued after the World Cup - their match against Uruguay ended with four goals between the two sides.
Venezuela are also capable of keeping up the pace. In 2026 they are averaging 1.75 goals per match, and two of their four games have reached at least three goals. Vizcarrondo's new-look side are still searching for the right balance between attacking intent and defensive solidity. Our pick: Total Goals - Over 2.5 at 1.78*.
🚩 Corners Prediction
Across their last 10 matches, the average total corners for these two sides was 7.8. Japan reached 10 or more corners in only 3 of those 10 games, while Venezuela did so in 2 of 10. Japan's recent match against Uruguay was also quiet in this regard - just 1 corner between the two teams. We are therefore taking Total Corners - Under 9.5.
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
The friendly nature of the match changes the approach to bookings somewhat. Japan are disciplined even at the best of times, picking up fewer than one yellow card per game. Venezuela's numbers are higher, but their recent friendlies have not always turned into physical affairs either.
An additional factor is the absence of competitive stakes. Both sides are in the middle of a long autumn series, coaches will be rotating heavily, and unnecessary roughness in a friendly serves no one. Our prediction: Total Yellow Cards - Under 2.5.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers.
⭐️ Editorial Prediction
Japan showed immediately after the World Cup that they have no intention of easing off. Moriyasu continues to give minutes to new players, which tends to make friendlies even less predictable defensively.
Venezuela have not come to sit back either. Under Vizcarrondo they have already scored seven goals in four matches. Even if the Asian side does most of the work, three goals between this pair looks a reasonable expectation. Predicted score: 2-1. Main bet: Total Goals - Over 2.5.
Will this prediction come true?
No comments
Betting Tips: Japan - Venezuela
in 6 of last 7 away games (Int. Friendly Games).
in 6 of last 7 away games (Int. Friendly Games)..svg)
in 9 of last 10 home games (Int. Friendly Games).in last 5 games (Int. Friendly Games).in 6 of last 7 away games (Int. Friendly Games).
Comparison of Teams Stats
Other predictions
