Canada vs Qatar Predictions
Both nations tend to post low-scoring results, and I expect a similar outcome on Thursday evening.
Under 2.5 goals is my preferred pick, while I also fancy Canada to claim a first-ever World Cup win with a clean sheet.
Canada Looking to Build on Bosnia Draw
- Canada have seen under 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 11 matches
- Canada kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 9 matches
- Qatar have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches
- Qatar failed to score in 3 of their last 4 matches
- Qatar lost 4 of their last 7 matches
Canada and Qatar Set for Second Encounter
Canada and Qatar will meet for the second time on Thursday. Canada eased to a 2-0 win in their only previous meeting in a friendly fixture four years ago.
Canada Earn Valuable Point
World Cup co-hosts Canada kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina last weekend.
Jovo Lukic opened the scoring at BMO Field before Cyle Larin's dramatic intervention rescued a point for Jesse Marsch's side. Larin had been on the field for just two minutes before his leveller in Toronto.
Canada certainly deserved at least a point, with the co-hosts outshooting Bosnia by 13 to eight. Marsch's men also finished with a higher xG output (1.23 to 0.96).
Low-scoring outcomes have been a recurring theme for the Canadians. An average of just 1.36 goals per game were scored in their last 11 internationals. Only one of those matches finished with over 2.5 goals scored.
A strong defence has been the foundation for a solid run of form in the past year. Canada lost only one of their last 19 matches (90 minutes).
Qatar Stun Switzerland
Qatar head into Thursday's World Cup clash after securing a surprise 1-1 draw against Group B favourites Switzerland. Miro Muheim's stoppage-time own goal earned Julen Lopetegui's side an unlikely share of the spoils.
The Asian qualifiers rode their luck for long periods. Switzerland dominated the contest with 26 shots and an xG of 3.2, while Qatar managed just six attempts and an xG return of 0.6.
A lack of penetration in the final third has led to several low-scoring outcomes for Lopetegui's side. Qatar scored just three goals while failing to win any of their last seven international matches.
Appearing at only their second World Cup, and their first after qualifying on merit rather than as hosts, Qatar have already bettered their showing from 2022. The Qataris lost all three matches on home soil four years ago.
Squads and Team News
Canada Squad
Goalkeepers: Dayne St. Clair, Maxime Crepeau, Owen Goodman
Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Alfie Jones, Luc de Fougerolles, Joel Waterman, Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito, Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea, Niko Sigur
Midfielders: Mathieu Choiniere, Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Kone, Liam Millar, Jacob Shaffelburg, Tajon Buchanan, Ali Ahmed, Jonathan Osorio, Nathan Saliba, Jayden Nelson
Forwards: Cyle Larin, Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi, Promise David
Canada manager Marsch could make one or two changes to his selection on Thursday. Captain Alphonso Davies is in contention to return to the side, while Cyle Larin is pushing for a recall after his super-sub appearance against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Elsewhere, Moise Bombito faces a late fitness test.
Marsch hinted at possible changes when speaking to the media earlier this week.
“This game will be a little bit different,” Marsch remarked.
“Qatar can sit very deep and commit a lot of players to their back line. We will need the ability to get in behind them, but also the quality to combine in tight areas, deliver crosses and create dangerous moments around the penalty area.
“That could require us to use different types of players. In the end, I think the versatility we have throughout the squad is a real bonus.”
Qatar Squad
Goalkeepers: Mahmud Abunada, Salah Zakaria, Meshaal Barsham
Defenders: Pedro Miguel, Lucas Mendes, Issa Laye, Ayoub Al-Oui, Homam Ahmed, Boualem Khoukhi, Sultan Al-Brake, Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain
Midfielders: Jassem Gaber, Abdulaziz Hatem, Karim Boudiaf, Ahmed Fathy, Assim Madibo, Mohamed Manai
Forwards: Ahmed Alaaeldin, Edmilson Junior, Mohammed Muntari, Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Yusuf Abdurisag, Ahmed Al-Ganehi, Almoez Ali, Tahsin Jamshid
Head coach Lopetegui has no reported injury issues this week. Experienced midfielder Ahmed Fathy is expected to win his 50th cap.
Speaking after the surprise draw against Switzerland, the Spanish boss urged his side to continue to dream ahead of Thursday's clash at BC Place.
"We achieved one dream when we arrived here, to be here, and now today is another little dream," the Spaniard told reporters.
"And we have the right to continue having the dream."