Japan vs Slovenia Prediction & Betting Tips - Men's Olympics Handball

Prediction published on 31/07/2024, 13:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 31/07/2024 at 18:05 in Men's Olympics Handball Predictions

Slovenia take on Japan knowing a win will see them safely through to the quarter-finals of this Olympic handball tournament. Japan prop up the table and nothing but a win in this match will keep them in the tournament. Read on to discover our prediction.

Japan are bottom of the group and yet to record a point. A fourth place finish is needed to qualify but they are four points behind that position. That's currently held by their opponents but even if they could win this match, they'd still need to beat fifth-placed Sweden on Sunday.

The Japanese side have lost all three of their group matches. It didn't look like that being the case in their opening game against Croatia. They were ahead by a five-goal margin at the break but were eventually beaten 30-29.

Another poor second-half performance followed against Germany. 21 goals were conceded as the Japanese side lost 37-26. They really needed to win their third group fixture and scored 33 goals against Spain but still lost by a four-goal margin making it seven consecutive losses.

Slovenia are on four points, two ahead of fifth-placed Sweden and a win over Japan will take them into the last eight. They started this Olympic tournament in a similar way to their opponents. Slovenia led Spain at half-time but ended up losing by three goals.

They have bounced back well though with a win over Croatia and then defeating Sweden on Wednesday. Their final fixture is against Germany on Sunday They'll be looking for more goals from Blaz Janc who has scored 18 times for them in their past two matches.

We tip Slovenia to win on a-4.5 goal handicap.