Belgium vs Canada Match Analysis and Prediction

Belgium vs Canada Match Analysis & Prediction

Belgium

23/11/2022 10:00 pm

Canada

by Vincent

6 months ago 0 123

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

Canada will be playing their first World Cup game in 36 years when they take on Belgium at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Wednesday.

Belgium or X: Yes

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BTTS: Yes

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Corners Under 9.5: No

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On the other hand, this represents Belgium’s final chance for a lot of their ‘Golden Generation’ to win a major tournament.

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez is also now under pressure to produce for the nation, as defeats in Euro 2020 and the previous UEFA Nations League’s finals have caused discontent among fans.

They qualified with ultimate ease once again during UEFA qualifying, averaging over three goals per game, but they often underperform when it really matters at major competitions, such as their defeat to Italy in last summer’s European Championships.

Losing home and away to neighbours Netherlands recently did not go down well either, while a defeat to Egypt in a warm-up friendly means they have lost back-to-back matches, and they have not lost three in a row since 2014.

Meanwhile, Canada scored most goals and conceded the fewest as they topped the final section of qualification in the CONCACAF region ahead of Mexico and the United States.

For a largly young and inexperienced squad at this level, the Maple Leafs can use this competition as a free hit in their preparation for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

While the big names in the squad all come in attack, building a solid defence has been crucial to Canada’s improvement over the past four-year cycle, as they kept seven clean sheets during the final stage, not conceding more than once in any game.

However, Canada’s form away from home is a cause for concern, as John Herdman’s side won just two of their seven matches on the road in qualifying, and lost away in Honduras in their last competitive game in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Belgium vs. Canada Head to head

These two nations have not previously met in any competitions and this will be their first meeting in the World Cup 2022.

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World Cup

Belgium Team News

The big concern in Belgium has surrounded the fitness of Lukaku in the build up to the competition, and he will not feature in this group opener, so Batshuayi is the likely starter.

Lois Openda is also in contention to appear, while Yannick Carrasco or Timothy Castagne may take Thorgan Hazard’s place at left wing-back.

Belgium's Last 5 Matches

11/06/2022

Wales

1

Belgium

1

Nations League
14/06/2022

Poland

0

Belgium

1

Nations League
22/09/2022

Belgium

2

Wales

1

Nations League
25/09/2022

Netherlands

1

Belgium

0

Nations League
18/11/2022

Belgium

1

Egypt

2

Friendlies

Canada Team News

Captain Atiba Hutchinson should win his 99th cap for Canada, making his first major tournament appearance almost 20 years after his debut.

Alphonso Davies suffered a hamstring injury with Bayern Munich two weeks ago and is extremely doubtful for this group opener, but Larin and Tajon Buchnan should are expected to start.