The Bridge Lad
Striker
We're underdogs for sure...
Absolutely, even if does go 2-2, Japan have doubles specialists for the deciding rubber. The best scenario would be for Jo to somehow get her early-mid 2017 form and win both matches and Watson to sneak past Nara, but I can't really see it. Konta is #41 in the race, so her 2018 form is worse than her current ranking (lots of grass points to defend to avoid slipping further down the rankings).
Still though, Osaka (while in great form) is a bit of a vulnerable character and I don't think she will have played in this home Fed Cup environment where the spotlight and media focus will be massively on her, so it's not a total write off. I just wish it was on at a better time.