Cameroon Japan Betting – Eto’o Fires Cameroon To First Victory Over Japan
Online betting players should be in for an exciting encounter in Group E, as Cameroon and Japan will go at it in a clash of teams with leaky defenses. However, Cameroon’s star striker will take advantage of Japan’s deficiencies at the back in the face of critics from his own country, and the Indomitable Lions will begin their World Cup quest on a positive note.
- What: World Cup Betting
- When: Monday, June 14, 10:00 AM ET
- Where: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
- Key Stats: Japan has won two and drawn one of their three matches against Cameroon
The Storyline
Cameroon will just be happy to get to South Africa after a tumultuous run-in to the World Cup that featured quit threats by star Samuel Eto’o, and losses to Portugal and Serbia in which their defense looked terrible, at best. Japan gave England a test, losing 2-1 on a pair of own-goals, and then fell 2-0 to the Ivory Coast, but not before breaking the arm of striker Didier Drogba. Both will have their sights set on second place in Group E behind the Netherlands, so this is a huge match.
Who Has The Edge On Offense: Cameroon Japan Betting
In Eto’o, the Indomitable Lions have one of the best strikers in the tournament and one that doesn’t need many chances to put it in the back of the net. Eto’o is also coming off a successful season at Inter Milan, where he won the treble, so he’s full of confidence, even though he doesn’t feel appreciated by the Cameroon coaches. Pierre Webo will be counted on to join Eto’o up front, while Jean Makoun can support from midfield.
Shunsuke Nakamura is the point man for the Blue Samurai as he can score from his winger position, as well as set other players up, and he has one of the best free-kick techniques in the World Cup. The problem is that he doesn’t have much help, and Yashuito Endo is going to have to get forward to support Nakamura.
Edge: Cameroon
Who Has The Edge In Defense: Cameroon Japan Betting
The Cameroon defense was great during qualification, but they gave up seven goals in losses to Portugal and Serbia, including four against the Serbs. Carlos Kameni is the No.1 guy in goal, but Cameroon went with a 3-4-3 against Serbia, and they don’t have the quality in midfield to protect the back four and Kameni like that. Rigobert Song and Geremi may be called for their experience, but look for the inclusion of Tottenham teammates Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong.
Japan also had a solid defense through qualification, but they struggled when taking a step up against the likes of England and the Ivory Coast. Things were made worse when defender Yasuyuki Konno suffered a knee injury against the Ivorians, and he’ll be out for this game, at least. Eiji Kawashima has gotten the last two starts between the sticks for Japan, but he has just 10 caps and is making his first real run with the senior team.
Edge: Draw
Notable Injuries – Cameroon Japan Betting
Konno (knee) will be out for at least one game, and the Japanese will be hoping that the defender will get on the pitch during the group stages.
Edge: Cameroon
Totals – Cameroon Japan Betting
This match should easily go over the posted total of 2, with both defenses playing well below the standard needed for World Cup teams.
Edge: Over 2
Cameroon Japan Betting Prediction & Outlook
Cameroon is the favorite in this contest at +105, while Japan is listed at +250, and a draw comes in at +220. These two have met three times, with Japan taking two wins and a draw. But Cameroon will end that trend in this tournament as the Japanese defense won’t know what to do with Eto’o and Makoun, and Eto’o in particular will be out to prove his critics wrong. In what should be an open game, take Cameroon in your sports betting picks.
