Plenty of opening World Cup matches catch the eye and while this fixture doesn’t leap off the page, it could be one of the more exciting.
The chance may have gone for Ivory Coast to really make an impact at a World Cup with their Golden Generation but they remain a talented bunch and this draw has been much kinder than previous finals.
Led by captain and talisman Didier Drogba, still causing defences problems despite his advancing years, Ivory Coast are expected to progress to the Last 16 but a win against Japan would take the pressure off and they might just get it.
Yaya Toure, who enjoyed such a terrific season domestically for Manchester City, is the driving force but Ivory Coast are suspect defensively and this match could feature plenty of goals.
Japan were the first qualifiers for Brazil 2014 having romped through Asian qualifying and their subsequent friendly results have been excellent.
Seven wins have been notched in 11 matches since and Japan have taken some notable scalps, beating Ghana and Belgium and drawing with the Netherlands.
A whopping 43 goals featured in that period and Japan’s high-tempo, pressing game should make them very uncomfortable opponents in the humidity of Brazil.
In Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda they possess two significant threats and Ivory Coast are a side that has now kept just one clean sheet in 12 matches.
That is highly unusual for an African side, who usually build from the back, and the evening kick-off time on Sunday in Recife could help this clash yield plenty of goals.
Banking on each side to find the net at least once looks one of the best wagers of the opening week of World Cup action.
4pts Back Both Teams to Score @ 21/20 (Ladbrokes)