Japan vs Samoa Predictions - Samoa to get close against classy Japan

Marc Thomas

Editor

Last updated: 21 Jul 2023

Marc Thomas 21 Jul 2023

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Watch Japan vs Samoa on Saturday in a rugby international fixture (07:50 SAST)
Samoa have won their last 2 international games
Can Japan make it 4 wins in a row against the visitors?

Expired

Japan backed for narrow win (Getty Images)

Japan vs Samoa Preview

Japan have dominated Samoa over the last few meetings, but the visitors have a stronger squad this time around. I am backing Samoa to get within the 14-point handicap.

Japan vs Samoa Preview
Head to Head
Japan Form
Japan Team News
Samoa Form
Samoa Team News

Japan have won their last 3 matches against Samoa.
Japan have won their last 3 matches against Samoa by 19+ points.
Samoa have been bolstered by some international experience.
Samoa have won their last 2 matches.

Head to Head

Of the 16 matches played between these sides, Japan have won five and Samoa 11. Recently however Japan has had the better of this fixture. They last met at the 2019 Rugby World Cup where Japan won 38-19.

Japan Form

Japan have lost their last five international matches, but all of those defeats have come against strong opposition.

Over the last two weeks, Japan lost twice to the New Zealand XV, which is effectively the All Blacks second stringers. Last week they lost 41-27 but the performance was strong.

Last year Japan lost by seven points to the All Blacks, three times to France and England.

Japan Team News

Japan should be at full strength for this encounter. They pushed the New Zealand XV all the way last week, but there could be a few changes this time around.

Samoa Form

Samoa have not played any rugby as an international side since November 2022. But they did win their last two matches after suffering defeat to Italy.

Samoa went on to defeat Georgia 20-19 in a hotly contested fixture before seeing off Romania 22-0 the following week.

In Super Rugby Moana Pacifika didn’t perform too well but they have welcomed some stars back into the side that play in Europe.

Samoa Team News

Former Wallaby flyhalf, Christian Leali’ifano starts for Samoa in his first international appearance for the nation of his birth.

Verdict

Japan v Samoa

Japan have had much the better of Samoa in their last three encounters, but this could be much closer. I'm backing Samoa to get within 14 points.

Samoa +14

Handicap

@-111.11 - 3 Units

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Japan Win 1-12

Winning Margin

@150.00 - 2 Units

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Bet at Bet.co.za