Canada Enter The World Cup Party
Wednesday sees Canada enter the World Cup party as John Herman’s men face Belgium in their opening game inside the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
It is Canada’s first outing at a World Cup since 1986, with Alphonso Davies and co desperate to improve on that performance that saw our proud nation exit the tournament without a point or a goal to shout about.
Expectations are higher this time around, although an opening clash with Belgium couldn’t get much tougher, with the Red Devils ranked at no.2 in the world.
A win against Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium would rank as arguably the greatest win in Canadian soccer history, and with this being a tournament full of upsets already, it’s time to start dreaming.
Qatar Already The Tournament Of Upsets
Tuesday saw Argentina take an early lead through – you guessed it – Lionel Messi against the unfancied Saudi Arabia only for the underdogs to fight their way back into the tie and claim a famous victory.
Just over 24 hours later, four-time World Champions Germany also surrendered a one-goal lead as Japan flipped the game on its head with two second half strikes.
Can Canada do the same? They are priced at +460 to do that, with Belgium boasting odds of -180 to register an expected win. The draw is available at +340. If the last few days have taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected with the FIFA World Cup odds in Qatar.
With those two shocks ending in a 2-1 scoreline to the underdogs, the romantic bettors will like the +1600 on Canada claiming a huge victory by that very score to begin their campaign.
With Romelu Lukaku unavailable for Belgium due to a thigh injury, Michy Batshuayi is expected to lead the line, with the former Chelsea hitman +125 to score at any time, and +420 to open the scoring.
De Bruyne has netted 25 goals in his international career to date, and his price of +215 to add to his tally is sure to gain some interest.
Bodog’s Soccer Odds As Canada Enter The World Cup Party
But enough about Belgium, it’s time to look at some of the best World Cup bets as far as Canada are concerned. During Davies’ absence through injury in the home stretch of qualifying for the World Cup, Jonathan David stepped up and really dragged his nation to Qatar. Can he do it on the biggest stage? His form heading into the tournament suggests he is ready to go. Eight goals in his last 13 appearances, including one against hosts Qatar back in September, should see the Lille frontman full of confidence on this biggest of stages.
David, who wasn’t born when Canada last played in a World Cup, is +320 to score at anytime during Wednesday’s clash, with the +900 on him to open the scoring looking a very tempting bet.
Without kicking a ball yet, Brazil find themselves as +300 favourites to add to their five World Cup triumphs to date. However, it has been 20 years since they last lifted the trophy, so the door could be opened for another nation. Reigning champions France looked dominant in their 4-1 victory over Australia and can be backed for the trophy at +650, while England are just behind them at +700 following their stylish 6-2 thumping of Iran.
Despite their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, Argentina remain fourth favourites at +850, while Germany’s sub-par performance in their 2-1 defeat to Japan has seen them drift to +1600.
Feeling patriotic? Canada are a huge +15000 to win the entire thing, while today’s opponent Belgium are considerably more fancied at +1800.
Finally, Canada enter the World Cup party today, and Bodog is your home of World Cup betting before, during, and after the big game.
Allez Les Rouges!