Belgium vs Canada Match Analysis & Prediction
22/11/2022 12:00 am
As they continue preparing for the World Cup, Canada plays its first match against Belgium on Wednesday. For Belgium, this match is an opportunity for the team’s many star players to win a major tournament.
Roberto Martinez has come under pressure from Belgium supporters following a string of poor performances at major tournaments.
They qualified easily during UEFA qualifying, averaging over three goals per game.
However, they often underperform when it matters at such events, as evidenced by their defeat against Italy in last summer’s European Championships and their elimination to France in the 2018 UEFA Nations League.
Moreover, they possess enough talent in the future to make them one of the favourites for Euro 2020.
Canada’s young team will use the Gold Cup as a free hit in their preparation for the 2026 World Cup—which they will host—on home soil.
The big names in the squad all come in attack but building a solid defense has been crucial to Canada’s improvement over the past four-year cycle. This is because they kept seven clean sheets during the final stage of CONCACAF qualifying, not conceding more than once in any game.
However, there is cause for concern about Canada’s away form: they won just two of their seven matches on the road in qualifying. They lost away to Honduras in their last competitive fixture in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Belgium vs. Canada Head to head
Both sides are yet to face each other and this marks their first encounter.
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Belgium Team News
Given Lukaku’s fitness issues, Batshuayi will likely start in this opening match. However, Openda and Lois are also in contention for a start. Belgium was one of the best performers at Euro 2020, and Thorgan Hazard has struggled with injuries over the last year; however, Carrasco or Castagne could take his place at left wing-back.
Belgium's Last 5 Matches
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18/11/2022Egypt2Belgium1International Friendlies
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25/09/2022Netherlands1Belgium0Nations League
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22/09/2022Belgium2Wales1Nations League
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14/06/2022Poland0Belgium1Nations League
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11/06/2022Wales1Belgium1Nations League
Canada Team News
Captain Atiba Hutchinson should make his 100th appearance for Canada in the team’s second group stage game against Costa Rica, but star player Alphonso Davies is doubtful with a hamstring injury. This is a huge blow to manager John Herdman, as Davies can play multiple positions, including full back, wing back, on the wing or as a number 10.
Canada's Last 5 Matches
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17/11/2022Japan1Canada2International Friendlies
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11/11/2022Bahrain2Canada2International Friendlies
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27/09/2022Canada0Uruguay2International Friendlies
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23/09/2022Canada2Qatar0International Friendlies
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14/06/2022Honduras2Canada1Nations League
Belgium vs. Canada: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
Home Win: Yes
Best Odds
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