Scotland vs Japan Predictions

• Each of Scotland’s last four matches have featured a minimum of three goals
• Scotland have failed to keep a clean-sheet in each of their last five home fixtures
• Japan have scored two or more goals in each of their last four matches

Scots still on a qualifying high

Scotland will step up their preparations for a first World Cup finals appearance in 28 years when they welcome fellow qualifiers Japan to Hampden Park for a friendly on Saturday that should deliver plenty of goals.

This will be the Scots first match since November’s extraordinary 4-2 victory over Denmark – a result that secured their qualification for this summer’s tournament – and that scoreline epitomises recent matches involving Steve Clarke’s side.

Each of Scotland’s last four games have featured a minimum of three goals and clean-sheets have been hard to come by, particularly on home soil where they have gone five matches without a shutout since a 1-0 UEFA Nations League win over Croatia in November 2024.

Japan enjoying some eye-catching results

Japan have reached the knockout stages of the last two World Cups and their recent form is also impressive, as they ended 2025 on a three-game winning streak that included an eye-catching 3-2 comeback success over Brazil.

Scoring goals has not been a problem for the Samurai Blue, who have netted two or more in each of their last four games and notched 54 across their 16 qualifying matches for the World Cup.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side are also hard to beat, losing only two of their last 23 games, a record they can extend on Saturday, but with Scotland’s confidence also high, this could end as a high-scoring draw.