USA vs CANADA
Saturday 16th November 0000hrs
Football – CONCACAF – Nations League
Pick Draw or Canada
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 2.37 (odds taken 09:03 GMT, 14 November )
The Unites States of America and Canada meet again in the 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A, with the visitors to the Exploria Stadium boasting a 100% record in this competition. Can the States get revenge for that 2-0 defeat in Toronto?
CONCACAF Nations League at Unibet
USA Prediction – USMNT Strong Favourites to Triumph in Orlando
The game of football (soccer) has grown enormously in the United States over the past few decades, with some of the world’s leading stars going to play in the Major League Soccer, while talented American players have helped the national side qualify for the World Cup on a regular basis.
The States made it to the first World Cup in forty years when qualifying for Italia 1990 and then hosted the tournament in 1994. However, the best achievement of all was a quarter final appearance in the 2002 World Cup which truly demonstrated that they were a country to be respected.
Unfortunately, USA failed to make the 2018 World Cup after previously appearing at the past six tournaments and there has been much soul-searching. Quite simply, it’s imperative that this proud nation make it to the 2022 World Cup.
The inaugural CONCACAF Nations League is a good opportunity for the team to play some competitive matches and the USMNT will be out for payback against Canada after losing 2-0 in Toronto last month.
The match occurred just days after America had put seven goals past Cuba in Washington DC, although this clash represents an opportunity to get back to winning ways after some difficult moments which included a 3-0 defeat against Mexico in New Jersey a couple of months ago.
Many players within the current squad operate in the MLS for various clubs and Paul Arriola is probably the pick of the forwards, with the DC United striker having played alongside Wayne Rooney over the past couple of years.
There’s plenty of inexperienced players within the ranks, although DeAndre Yedlin, Tim Ream and John Brooks all play at a competitive level for European clubs, while former Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan looks to be a safe pair of hands in goal.
The big blow for the States is that Christian Pulisic has pulled out of the squad with a hip injury and that robs the team of their most talented attacking player, something that Canada will be keen to exploit.
Canada Prediction – Canucks in Great Shape Ahead of Showdown
Canada are not regarded as a particularly significant football nation and the game of “soccer” is not high on the list when it comes to popularity, although the Canucks have a decent squad of players and the recent win over the United States of America suggests that they are capable of making the 2022 World Cup.
John Herdman did some sterling work as coach of the Canadian women’s national football team before switching to the men last year and the 44-year-old will be targeting another victory over the USA with a group of players who are probably the best that this country have ever had.
Cardiff City’s Junior Hoilett has experience of playing in the English Premier League and can be a lively operator in attack, while Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies already has five international goals to his name at the age of 19.
Captain Scott Arfield is now operating at Scottish club Glasgow Rangers, having previously spent several successful years with English club Burnley and he adds plenty of steel to the midfield, with Samuel Piette the most experienced midfielder in the squad and he plays for Montreal Impact.
Key-Facts – USA vs Canada
- USA are missing star player Christian Pulisic
- Canada recently beat the USA in Toronto
- USA have lost 3 of their past 5 matches
Betting Tips Verdict
Given the absence of Pulisic from the American team’s ranks, we can be fairly confident of seeing Canada get something from this game and it certainly looks worth supporting them on the Asian Handicap market.
We think it’s worth having a bet on Draw or Canada for that reason and the Double Result market at bet365 allows us to get odds-against that we see the game either end all square or in an away victory against a fairly off-colour opponent.
