Canada kick off their World Cup campaign against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Group B’s opening match.
Canada are entering their third World Cup in their history, whilst this match marks the start of Bosnia & Herzegovina’s second World Cup – having previously qualified for the 2014 edition where they exited at the Group Stage.
Team News
Ismael Kone is a doubt for Canada after he missed training on Wednesday due to illness.
Alphonso Davies and Ralph Priso are also doubts following recent hamstring and muscle injuries respectively, although the pair are slowly back in training, so could be fit enough for the substitutes bench.
Bosnia could be without captain, Edin Dzeko as he continues to manage his training due to a shoulder injury suffered in March.
Haris Tabakovic is also a doubt after he suffered a metatarsal injury in May.
When is Kick-Off?
Canada host Bosnia & Herzegovina at BMO Field, Toronto, on Friday 12 June at 3pm EDT (8pm BST), live on BBC1 and iPlayer in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Canada’s first meeting against Bosnia in all competitions.
- Bosnia are facing a fourth different CONCACAF nation for the first time – having previously met Costa Rica, Mexico and USA.
- Bosnia are yet to win their first meeting against a CONCACAF nation (D1, L2).
- Canada have lost just one of their last 17 matches in all competitions (W8, D8, L1).
- Bosnia have kept one clean sheet in their last nine matches across all competitions (W2, D6, L1).
Prediction
Currently in strong form despite winning just two of their last seven matches, Canada have to quietly feel confident coming into this World Cup as they have no greater chance to reach the knockout stages, but this feels like it could be a tight game given how tight they can be in terms of drawing games.
Bosnia though are just as tight with four consecutive draws this year – during which they needed penalties in both of their qualifying play-off ties against Wales and Italy respectively, so I expect them to give as good as they get as they have nothing to lose against the tournament co-hosts.
My instinct though is that this Group B opener will end in a draw.
Prediction: Canada 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Result: Canada 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Leave a Reply