Belgium vs. Canada Predictions & Betting Tips

A win is more valuable than ever in these World Cup match day one Belgium vs. Canada predictions. With Croatia waiting in the wings, three points will be vital to progress through Group F.

Belgium vs. Canada odds

1 – Jonathan David to score anytime – 4/1

2 – Both teams to score – 11/10

3 – 1-1- at full-time – 9/1

4 – Belgium to win – 17/35

5 – Dries Mertens to score last – 8/1

Belgium take on Canada on Wednesday in their opening fixture of the 2022 World Cup. This tournament could well mark the Red Devils golden generation’s final opportunity to lift silverware – and they will undoubtedly be well motivated at the Al Rayyan Stadium.

On the subject of a golden generation, Canada appear to be entering one of their own, with a fantastic crop of young players coming through. Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies needs little introduction and has emerged as one of the best full backs in the world in recent years, while Stephan Eustquio has been thriving for Porto this season.

However, it is the form of Jonathan David that has encouraged Canadian fans, as the Lille forward has already bagged nine goals in just 15 games for his club this season. Blessed with lightening pace and a great awareness of which runs to make, he could cause problems for Belgium’s ageing defence – and we back him to score anytime on Wednesday.

Belgium’s defence may well be cause for concern, as they are without a clean sheet in their last six games. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertongen are reaching the end of their careers, while Leandro Dendoncker has failed to reach the level expected of him. As a result, a wager on both teams to score at the Al Rayyan could well pay off, with a score draw offering good odds.

That having been said, it is Belgium who will go into the fixture as favourites. Roberto Martinez’s squad is full of quality in almost every position and, with Kevin De Bruyne dictating play, the Red Devils will be more than confident of outscoring their opponents and securing all three points.

The lack of Romelu Lukaku will unquestionably be a problem for the hosts, but they have no shortage of attacking options. Dries Mertens has long occupied the status as a super-sub for his country and the forward bagged two in his last four games for new club Fenerbahce. As a result, a bet on Mertens to score last could well be an earner this week.

How to stream Belgium vs. Canada

Watch Belgium vs. Canada live on Monday afternoon on BBC One or online through the BBC iPlayer website or app.

Belgium vs. Canada last five matches

Belgium last five matches

Netherlands 1-0 Belgium

Belgium 2-1 Wales

Poland 0-1 Belgium

Wales 1-1 Belgium

Belgium 1-4 Netherlands

Canada last five matches

Bahrain 2-2 Canada

Canada 0-2 Uruguay

Qatar 0-2 Canada

Honduras 2-1 Canada

Canada 4-0 Curacao

Belgium top World Cup qualification goalscorers

Romelu Lukaku – 5

Hans Vanaken – 3

Kevin De Bruyne – 2

Dennis Praet – 2

Thorgan Hazard – 1

Canada top World Cup qualification goalscorers

Cyle Lain – 14

Jonathan David – 9

Lucas Cavallini – 5

Alphonso Davies – 5

Junior Hoilett – 3

Belgium vs. Canada line-ups

Belgium (3-4-3) Courtois; Debast, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Batshuayi, Hazard

Canada (3-4-3) Borjan; Johnston, Vitoria, Miller; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Hutchinson, Adekugbe; David, Larin, Davies  

Belgium team news

Roberto Martinez is expected to stick with a tried and tested line-up for Belgium’s opening fixture. Question marks remain however over whether the manager will start Eden Hazard, as the captain has struggled for game time over the last two seasons. The injury to Romelu Lukaku could see Michy Batshuayi start up front.

Canada team news

John Herdman has a number of decisions to make ahead of Wednesday’s game. Atiba Hutchinson’s fitness is in question having just returned from injury, with the midfielder’s conditioning vital in transition against Belgium. The manager has been fielding Alphonso Davies as a conventional winger, as opposed to his standard full back position – and this is expected to continue for the match at the Al Rayyan Stadium.