Alphonso Davies and the Canadians will play their first match at the World Cup against Belgium. The meeting will take place on November 23 at 19:00 UK time at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Can the Canadians surprise the more experienced and skilled Belgian team?
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #1 – Total Goals Over 2.5 – 1.73.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #2 – Correct Score: 2-1 – 7.5.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #3 – Belgium No Lose + Total Over 3.5 – 3.04.
Belgium has scored three or more goals in six of its nine matches this year. The Belgians themselves are scoring an average of 1.89 goals, but we also consider the fact that Canada’s defence is rather weak. Plus, the nominal visitors often play up the attack, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see Belgium score at least three goals themselves.
Belgium should start off with a win, but a lack of chemistry in defence could play a part. Expect to see 2-3 goals from Belgium and don’t rule out that they might concede. My prediction for the exact score is 2-1.
Also, you can expect a high-scoring match from the teams. We think Belgium will not lose in this shoot-out.
Belgium’s “Golden Generation” has always made it past the group stage in the last four major tournaments. At the last World Cup, the Belgians were bronze medallists.
The Red Devils started the tournament with a solid lead, collecting 20 points in eight games, without losing, while scoring 25 goals and conceding just six.
The Belgians have since played in the group stage of the League of Nations, where they finished second in their quartet after the Netherlands, who they lost to twice, which prevented the team from reaching the semi-finals of the tournament.
On the eve of the start of the World Cup, the Belgian national team played a friendly game, losing to Egypt (1:2). The top scorer, Romelu Lukaku, will miss at least the first two rounds of the World Cup.
Canada had only played in the World Cup once before in their history. That was back in 1986. Then they finished last in the group, scoring no goals and scoring no points.
In the upcoming World Cup qualifying round, the Canadians finished in the first place. They have played 14 matches and have had eight wins, four draws and two losses.
Canada has played four friendlies since qualifying for the World Cup, including a defeat to Uruguay (0-2) in September and a recent victory over Japan (2-1).
It should be noted that the Canadians have a good squad. Their key players play in European leagues. For example, Alphonso Davies is a Bayern defender and Jonathan David plays for Lille.
These teams have not met each other before. This game will be their debut clash.
In our opinion, the teams will take to the field with the following line-ups:
Belgium: Courtois – Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Debast – Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Castagne – De Bruyne, Batshuayi, E Hazard.
Canada: Borjan – Laryea, Johnston, Steven Vitoria, K Miller, Adekugbe – Buchanan, Hutchinson, Eustaquio – David, Larin.
The fixture will be played at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium (40.000) in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
This starting whistle will sound on the 23rd of November, 2022, at 20:00 UK Time.
We recommend checking out the odds for the World Cup 2022: Belgium vs Canada at 22Bet.