Canada vs. Costa Rica: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Odds, Prediction
Canada will be aiming to cement their position above the line on the CONCACAF octagon table when they resume play in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying on Friday with a visit from Costa Rica. Canada is coming off a lopsided 4-1 victory over Panama in last month’s qualifying action, and now maintain sole possession of third place on the octagon table. Costa Rica are coming off a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the United States that leaves them stalled in fifth place going into Matchday 7 action, four points back of the Canadians.
Canada gets set to hit the pitch for Friday night’s contest at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton perched as heavy -267 favourites to win on the soccer odds. Costa Rica lags as distant +731 underdogs, while the total is pegged at 2.5. Frosty conditions are forecast for the evening, with the mercury expected to dip to near freezing under partly cloudy skies.
Canada vs. Costa Rica Soccer Odds
Friday night’s matchup marks the second meeting between these two national teams so far this year. Canada waltzed to a 2-0 victory in the quarter-finals of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. They’ve now picked up at least a point in five non-friendly clashes with the Ticos since 2005. Low scoring has been commonplace, with these two sides combining to score two or fewer goals in each of their past three dates. However, with Canada’s explosive offence potting seven total goals in their two wins so far in third round qualifying action, the OVER has particularly appeal as a +114 wager in totals betting.
Canada
Canada have placed themselves firmly in control of their own World Cup destiny during the first half of their CONCACAF octagon schedule. In addition to marking their second victory by multi-goal margins so far in third round action, last month’s rout of Panama also leaves Canada undefeated in 12 World Cup qualifying contests. The club also received good news on the injury front, with Cyle Larin and team captain Atiba Hutchinson both expected to return to action after missing the past three contests. Larin has spearheaded the Canadian attack so far in World Cup qualifying, scoring nine times in eight appearances, including late goals that earned the team a draw in their recent clashes with the United States and Honduras.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica find themselves in desperate need of a win as the CONCACAF octagon schedule reaches the midway point. Smarting from last month’s 2-1 loss to the Americans, the Ticos now sport a 1-3-2 record in third round play, and sport an unfavourable goal differential of -1. The Costa Rican offence has sputtered during an eight-match stretch across all competitions, scoring just four total goals. However, the Ticos have also maintained a stout defence, with three of the contests during their current 1-4-3 run ending in scoreless draws. Celsos Borges has been one of the bright lights on an otherwise modest Ticos attack. The veteran midfielder netted the match winner in last month’s 2-1 victory over El Salvador, and has scored three times in two appearances with the national side so far in 2021.