Belgium vs Canada prediction: WORLD: World Cup betting tips on match 2022-11-22 19:00.
Belgiumâs latest âgolden generationâ are fast running out of time to claim international glory together, so theyâll hope Fridayâs 2-1 friendly defeat to Egypt isnât a sign of things to come. After finishing third in the 2018 World Cup, Belgium must improve on that Egypt display or they risk going three matches without a win for the first time since March 2014 after an underwhelming UEFA Nations League campaign (W3, D1, L2).
Rekindling the form that saw them stroll through their World Cup qualifying group unbeaten (W6, D2) would be the ideal way to start their World Cup group stage campaign as they prepare for only their second ever meeting with Canada after a 2-0 friendly victory back in 1989. A repeat result would be welcomed by Belgium boss Roberto MartĂnez and it would also wrap up a hat-trick of World Cup group-opening victories for the Red Devils.
While Belgium are seasoned tournament campaigners with expectations of reaching the latter stages, Canada are returning to international footballâs biggest stage for the first time since 1986 as huge underdogs. Topping the CONCACAF final qualification group ahead of Mexico and USA (W8, D4, L2) shows John Herdmanâs side deserve to be taken seriously and theyâll be looking to put down a marker ahead of their country co-hosting the tournament in 2026.
Canada produced their best performances during that final stage of qualifying at home, only beating lowly Honduras and El Salvador on the road (D3, L2), hinting that they may struggle in unfamiliar surroundings. Finetuning their preparations by drawing 2-2 with Bahrain and beating Japan 2-1 not far from here should therefore boost morale following four consecutive defeats on foreign soil.
Players to watch: With Romelu Lukaku out through injury, Belgium could turn to LoĂŻs Openda, whoâs scored two international goals in 2022 after the 75th minute. Another man used to striking late is Canadaâs Jonathan David, with three of his last four international goals arriving after the 70th minute.
Hot stat: Five of Canadaâs last six games produced exactly two first-half goals (HT: W2, D2, L2).
World Cup trivia: Belgium are one of six teams to have gone through a World Cup unbeaten without winning the tournament, doing so in 1998 when they drew all three group games.