Costa Rica vs Canada Match Analysis and Prediction

5 years ago 772

Canada will be looking for a victory that will help them secure their ticket to World Cup 2022 when they play Costa Rica at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose.

With three qualifying matches remaining, Costa Rica are fifth, a point behind Panama for a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs, while Canada are the only team unbeaten in the Octagon, leading the table with 25 points.

One victory in the first half of 2022 qualifying was not the start many had expected from a Costa Rican side, who have made four trips to the finals in their previous five campaigns.

However, Luis Fernando Suarez has rejuvenated this veteran group, who enter the contest unbeaten in four consecutive fixtures since a 1-0 defeat to Canada last November.

As a result Costa Rica remain in the hunt for a third successive trip to the World Cup, but there is still work to do as they sit five points behind Mexico.

Historically Los Ticos have been good at home against the Canucks, losing only once in a friendly in 1993 and conceding just two goals in all the matches played against them in the Central American republic.

Meanwhile, Canada began 2021 as the 72nd ranked team in the world, but over the next 12 months, they were named the “Most Improved Sides” to end the year.

It has been 36 years long since Canada participated at the FIFA World Cup, but unlike the team that competed in Mexico in 1986, these players have flourished at the club level, with many featuring for high-profile squads across Europe.

Should the Canucks be able to avoid defeat in their final three qualifiers, it would mark the first time since the 1998 World Cup campaign that a CONCACAF side (Mexico) went through the final qualification stage unbeaten.

Costa Rica vs Canada head to head

The two teams have previously met on 21 occasions across all competitions, where Costa Rica have won six while Canada have won five, and they have drawn in 10. Canada have scored 17 goals and conceded 21. In their last five meetings, Canada have won twice, Costa Rica once with two draws.

Canada 0-1 Costa Rica 29/05/13

Canada 0-0 Costa Rica 15/07/15

Costa Rica 1-1 Canada 12/07/17

Costa Rica 0-2 Canada 26/07/21

Canada 1-0 Costa Rica 13/11/21

Costa Rica latest home form

Costa Rica have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. Their last home defeat came on September 6 2021 when they lost 1-0 to Mexico. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded four.

Costa Rica 0-1 Mexico 06/09/21

Costa Rica 1-1 Jamaica 09/09/21

Costa Rica 2-1 El Salvador 11/10/21

Costa Rica 2-1 Honduras 17/11/21

Costa Rica 1-0 Panama 28/01/22

Costa Rica latest away form

Costa Rica have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won only one of their seven most recent matches. In their last away victory, they managed to defeat Jamaica 1-0. In their last five away matches, they have scored two goals and conceded three.

Honduras 0-0 Costa Rica 08/10/21

United States 2-1 Costa Rica 14/10/21

Canada 1-0 Costa Rica 13/11/21

Mexico 0-0 Costa Rica 31/01/22

Jamaica 0-1 Costa Rica 03/02/22

Canada latest home form

Canada have been on a good run of form at home, and have been unbeaten in their ten most recent matches. In their last home game, they managed to defeat United States 2-0 in the World Cup Quailification Concacaf. In their last five, they have scored 12 goals and conceded two.

Canada 3-0 El Salvador 09/09/21

Canada 4-1 Panama 14/10/21

Canada 1-0 Costa Rica 13/11/21

Canada 2-1 Mexico 17/11/21

Canada 2-0 United States 30/01/22

Canada latest away form

Canada have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. Their last away defeat came on July 30 when they lost 2-1 to Mexico. In their last five away matches, they have scored six goals and conceded two.

United States 1-1 Canada 06/09/21

Mexico 1-1 Canada 08/10/21

Jamaica 0-0 Canada 11/10/21

Honduras 0-2 Canada 28/01/22

El Salvador 0-2 Canada 03/02/22

Costa Rica news

Joel Campbell will be looking for just one more goal for the national team to tie Jorge Hernan Monge for eighth all-time.

Captain Bryan Ruiz has a chance to move into second place in career appearances for Costa Rica should he play on Friday, as he is tied with Walter Centero for 137 caps.

Canada news

Alphonso Davies remains sidelined for Canada, as the Bayern Munich wing-back is still recovering from a minor case of myocarditis.

Samuel Piette is out with an ankle injury, David Wotherspoon continues to nurse an ACL issue, while Gutierrez and Ismael Kone were called-up to the senior side for the first time.

Prediction and Odds

Costa have been good to fight their way back into the qualifying picture, but it could be hard for the veteran group to stay with the speedy and youthful Canadians for an entire game.

Canadians appear comfortable and composed and even without Alphonso Davies, we expect them to take an away win.

Odds: 1 2.45 X 2.05 2 2.20