Costa Rica welcome Canada to Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica for an important CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying tie on Friday morning with kickoff at 05:05 EAT.
Following a difficult start to the third round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Costa Rica look to have rejuvenated under Luis Fernando Suarez recently with the team claiming three wins a draw in their last four qualifying matches against the 1-0 win over Jamaica in their previous match.
As a result they remain in the hunt for a third consecutive World Cup appearance, although they still have much to do as they sit five points behind Mexico who sit third, the last automatic qualifying spot and are still a point behind Panama who sit in the inter-confederation playoffs.
With three matches remaining a win on Friday will be crucial for Costa Rica as that could see them above Panama and just two points behind the Mexicans. However in their way stands Canada, who have not lost a single qualifying fixture in the third round and they beat Costa Rica 1-0 in the reverse fixture.
Canada have indeed made a strong qualifying campaign in the third round with the team winning seven and drawing four of their 11 matches so far and they lead the four points above close rivals USA.
With three matches remaining a win on Friday is enough to see the Canucks seal their place in the World Cup finals 2022 edition, which will be their first appearance in the tournament in 36 years. Canucks current squad has young, talented and ambitious players who have flourished at club level, with many featuring for high-profile squads across Europe and we believe that a World Cup appearance is at the top of their list.
They head into the match in a fine form having not lost in their last 11 matches across all competitions and have a winning streak of six matches, and should confident of claiming all three points in the Friday clash.
Costa Rica vs Canada head to head
Both sides have met in 12 encounters since 2003 with both side claiming four victories, while drawing four in the process.
- Canada 1-0 Costa Rica 13/11/21
- Costa Rica 0-2 Canada 26/07/21
- Costa Rica 1-1 Canada 12/07/17
- Canada 0-0 Costa Rica 15/07/17
Home
- Jamaica 0-1 Costa Rica
- Mexico 0-0 Costa Rica
- Costa Rica 1-0 Panama
- Costa Rica 2-1 Honduras
- Canada 1-0 Costa Rica
Away
- El Salvador 0-2 Canada
- Canada 2-0 USA
- Honduras 0-2 Canada
- Canada 2-1 Mexico
- Canada 1-0 Costa Rica
Costa Rica team news
Costa Rica have no injury concerns ahead of the clash.
Canada team news
Canada have no injury concerns ahead of the match.
Prediction and odds
- Canada win
- Both sides to score (No)
- Goals under 2.5
