Canada are all set for their second consecutive FIFA World Cup finals appearance as they take on Bosnia & Herzegovina in their Group B opener on Friday night.
Co-hosts Canada are hopeful of making it out of the Group stages, with a positive start in the opening match in Toronto. Bosnia, Switzerland and Qatar are the other three teams in the potentially competitive group.
Bosnia made it through to the World Cup finals after winning the UEFA play-off, stunning Italy 4-1 on post match penalties.
The pressure is on the hosts who have lost all six of their last World Cup games in Mexico 1986 and Qatar 2022. They have only scored twice in both editions and need to be in top form here with home advantage.
This will be Bosnia’s second appearance at the global showpiece after being eliminated at Brazil 2014. They come into the tournament on the back of a commendable eight-game unbeaten run.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch has guided his two previous teams to the latter stages of a tournament in the last three years. The American football coach is under pressure to deliver a positive result for the co-hosts.
Will the home nation register a win in their first game or can Bosnia extend their unbeaten run? We have a look at both sides and offer our predicted outcome.
What time is Canada vs Bosnia?
The match kicks off at 10PM E.A.T at the BMO Field.
Canada vs Bosnia team news
Canadian captain Alphonso Davies may sit this out as he recovers from a minor injury, though veteran Richie Laryea will start in his place.
Sassuolo’s Ismaila Kone and Stephen Eustaquio will control proceedings in the midfield, with Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi starting as well to provide attacking options for the hosts.
Jonathan David, who is Canada’s all-time top scorer, will start up front for the hosts and captain the side.
Bosnian veteran Sead Kolasinac and teenage sensation Nidal Celik will be the key components of their defense. Nikola Vasilj will start in goal.
The rest of the team will remain unchanged from their play-off final against Italy, with Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirovic leading the attacking line.
Canada vs Bosnia head-to-head and current form
Both teams come into the game on the back of unbeaten runs, unbeaten in their last five games. Neither side has lost in their last eight games.
Canada’s last match resulted in a 1-1 draw against Ireland, while Bosnia were held to an identical stalemate by Panama.
This will be the first ever match between these two nations.
Current form:
Canada – DWDDW
Bosnia – DDWWD
Canada vs Bosnia prediction
This Group B opener has the potential to be an explosive encounter with both sides looking to make a statement. However, Canada have a slight edge with home advantage in their favor.
Neither side is known to score plenty of goals in one encounter and this could be a low-scoring affair.
Prediction – Canada to win or draw (1X)
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