Brazil vs Japan Prediction: Vini the man to break Japan hearts

Brazil and Japan will meet in the last 32 of the FIFA World Cup on Monday evening (6pm BST, 12pm local) at Houston Stadium.

Japan finished second in Group F, while Carlo Ancelotti's men finish top of the pack in C, setting up an intriguing battle with a place in the last 16 on the line. Read on for my Brazil vs Japan predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

The biggest cheer of the night in Brazil's 3-0 win over Scotland came when Neymar was brought on for his first appearance for the national team since October 2023. The Santos star may be limited to a substitute's appearance once again here as he continues to build his match fitness, but it's not a bad option to bring off the bench.

Vinicuis Junior has scored four goals so far for Brazil and will start on the left-hand side, supporting Matheus Cunha and Rayan in attack. Raphinha missed the win over Scotland with a hamstring injury and his availability remains unclear heading into Monday's contest.

Gabriel and Marquinhos will make up the heart of the defence, protecting Alisson between the sticks, and the midfield is likely to consist of Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta.

As for Japan, Takefusa Kubo was forced off in the second half of their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands with a knee injury, and the Real Sociedad winger has since been spotted in a wheelchair, which suggests he's unlikely to feature here.

Zion Suzuki will retain his spot in goal, while Takehiro Tomiyasu could return to the back-three after being rested in the draw against Sweden. Ayase Ueda will lead the line, supported by the likes of Daizen Maeda and Ritsu Doan, and Keito Nakamura and Yukinari Sugawara will be given the nod on the wings.

Brazil vs Japan Odds

Brazil are favourites to win the game in 90 minutes at 8/11, giving them an implied win probability of 57.9%. The draw can be backed at 11/4 and Japan are 18/5. To win the tie it's 4/11 Brazil, and 2/1 Japan.

Over 2.5 goals is 10/11, and it's the same price for both teams to score - yes. Vinicius Junior, who scored in all three of Brazil's group games, is the favourite to open the scoring on Monday at 9/2.

Brazil to win and both teams to score - yes (90 minutes) @ 11/4

I actually think this will be a cracking contest on Monday. The flair and star quality of Brazil up against the tenacity and energy of Japan.

Apart from the opening 20 minutes or so in the first group game against Morocco, I like what I've seen from Brazil, although they should be beating the likes of Haiti and Scotland comfortably.

Similarly, Japan have impressed me when I've watched them - they look like a 'proper' team, working hard for each other and running themselves into the ground. They'll be disappointed by the draws against the Netherlands and Sweden, but they're certainly capable of causing an upset here and sending one of the biggest names in international football on the next flight home.

However, I'm siding with Ancelotti's men on Monday. The star power of Vinicius, Cunha and even the likes of Igor Thiago - who enjoyed a brilliant season with Brentford - and Neymar off the bench will be too much for the Japanese to handle, I suspect.

Japan will get on the scoresheet though - they netted seven times across their three group games, and I still have question marks over that Brazil defence.

*Click here for the latest World Cup Odds

Vinicius Junior to score anytime @ 6/4

The man of the moment for Brazil - Vini Jr. has netted four goals so far at this World Cup, scoring in each group game, and it would be foolish not to back him once again on Monday.

His double on Wednesday against Scotland put him in elite company within his nation's history, becoming just the eighth Brazilian to score a goal in every group match at a World Cup.

The Real Madrid forward is averaging 1.38 goals per 90 minutes in North America, as well as 2.76 shots on target, so let's back him to score anytime in Houston.