World Cup 2018, Japan vs Poland: What time is kick-off tomorrow, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

Poland's forward Robert Lewandowski (L) on October 5, 2017 and Japan's defender Maya Yoshida (R) on May 30, 2018.
It's Lewandowski vs Yoshida in Group H - the footballing duel the world has been waiting for Credit: AFP

What is it?

One of the final World Cup 2018 group stage matches, it's Group H and Japan vs Poland.

When is it?

This coming Thursday,  28 June 2018.

What time is kick-off?

15.00 for us in the UK.

What TV channel is it on?

BBC Two will have the honour for this one.

Where is the game being played?

The town formerly known as Stalingrad: Volgograd. This will be the final time we see the 45,568-capacity Volgograd Arena at this tournament.

What will be decided?

Plenty, and it has potential implications for England who play Belgium a couple of hours after this game finishes. Japan need just a point to secure qualification for the next round, but a win would clinch them the group.

If Japan slip up and lose heavily they could be eliminated by a narrow win for Colombia against Senegal in the game happening simultaneously with this one. But a Senegal win means Japan could lose this match and still qualify in second place.

That would mean a meeting with Belgium or England, whichever team wins Group G. This group's winner would face the other of those two teams and end up in what looks the easier half of the draw for the knockout stages, for whatever that's worth in an increasingly unpredictable World Cup.

Poland, meanwhile, are already out after a heavy defeat to Colombia in their previous game. Even if they can beat Japan they would need Colombia to lose to Senegal and a seven goal swing in their favour to avoid finishing bottom of Group H.

What is the team news?

Japan could be unchanged for the third successive game, with no immediate injury worries. Eiji Kawashima, Takahi Unui and Makoto Hasebe are all on bookings from the previous two group games so could be rested to avoid suspension.

Every chance of wholesale changes for Poland, given their wretched showing so far in Russia. No obvious injury concerns, though.

What's the latest news on the two teams?

Akira Nishino knows there are a few ways for his Japan squad to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup for the third time in five tournaments.

He only cares about one. With a victory over No. 8-ranked Poland at Volgograd, Japan have a shot at finishing top of Group H.

Nishino says, "We are still going for top of the group."

After a 2-2 draw last Sunday, Japan and Senegal share the lead with four points and the same number of goals scored and conceded.

Japan can advance with a win or a draw, and perhaps even a loss. It could even be decided on the drawing of lots.

But Nishino's squad, which was the lowest-ranked and considered the longest shot to advance from the group, was emboldened by its opening 2-1 win over Colombia and now is aiming to advance with a bigger win over winless Poland, who are already out of contention.

If Japan earns at least the point it needs against Poland, it will only be the second time that Japan has gone through the group stage undefeated, the other being when co-hosting in 2002 with South Korea.

Poland, by contrast, have been one of the competition's most disappointing teams, particularly in attack despite the presence of star striker Robert Lewandowski. Over two defeats, Poland have only scored a single goal.

Credit: AFP

As one of the seeded teams, Poland had high hopes following a successful qualification when it won eight of its 10 matches. Back home, there is talk of fans selling their tickets for the Volgograd match at a discount, while Polish tabloid Super Express has harshly labelled the players as "milksops" who performed "better in the commercials than on the field."

Under-fire coach Adam Nawalka has taken responsibility for the team's performances but has adamantly defended his players even after the 3-0 loss to Colombia, which confirmed Poland's early departure from the competition.

"We have to come to grips with it," he said. "The Japanese team is very well prepared. I can see this is a team that plays a very collective football."

Japan should be aware of Poland's recent World Cup history. On its two previous appearances at the World Cup - in 2002 and 2006 - Poland also lost its opening two games, but went onto to finish the tournaments on a bright note with victories over the United States and Costa Rica.

What are the odds?

Japan: 6/4
Poland: 2/1
Draw: 2/1

What's our prediction?

An absolutely pointless late rally from Poland, but Japan to squeak through anyway on goal difference: Japan 1 Poland 2