The second round of matches in an evenly poised World Cup Group B take place on Thursday night when Switzerland clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina before Canada take on Qatar.
Group B Switzerland v Bosnia-Herzegovina (Los Angeles)
All four teams in this group have a single point to show from their opening matches. They are also equal in the goals department, 1 scored and conceded as they chase qualification for the knockout rounds.
In terms of the betting to top the group Switzerland are even money favourites with Canada 6/4, Bosnia are 51 and Qatar are 25/1 shots.
Switzerland
Switzerland were firm favourites to make a winning start to the group against Qatar in San Francisco on Saturday but they were pegged back in injury time and the game finished 1-1. The Swiss had a number of clear cut chances but their only game came from a penalty converted by Breel Embolo on 17 minutes. The Swiss registered 26 shots of which 7 were on target and they were awarded 10 of the 13 corners in the match but their failure to put the game beyond their opponents was punished by a 94th minute equalizer from Qatar
This was how Switzerland lined up last time out
Switzerland: G. Kobel, D. Zakaria, M. Akanji, N. Elvedi, M. Aebischer (F. Rieder 65’), R. Freuler (A. Jashari 89’), G. Xhaka, R. Rodriguez (M. Muheim 89’), D. Ndoye (J. Manzambi 65’), R. Vargas (Z. Amdouni 79’), B. Embolo
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Jovo Lukic put Bosnia ahead in the first half of their opening match against Canada in Toronto. They rode their luck on more than one occasion but their defence was finally breached on 78 minutes and the game finished 1-1.
Their two most recent friendly matches delivered draws with North Macedonia (0-0) and Panama (1-1) and they came through qualifying via the play offs in Europe earlier this year beating both Wales and Italy on spot kicks after a pair of 1-1 draws.
This was how Bosnia-Herzegovina lined up last time out
Bosnia: Vasilj - Kolasinac, Muharemovic, Katic, Dedic - Memic, Basic, Tahirovic, Bajraktarevic - Lukic, Demirovic
The Betting:
Switzerland are priced at around 6/10 to win the game with the draw available at 33/10 and Bosnia-Herzegovina can be backed at around 29/5.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 26/23 and its 16/13 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
The Swiss really missed a trick in dropping points to Qatar and I’m hoping they will make amends with a win here and a clean sheet
Bets: Which teams to score, Switzerland only at 13/10 with BetXchange
Note, odds are subject to change
Group B Canada v Qatar (Vancouver)
Canada started with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia in Toronto. They were 1-0 down from the 1st minute until a 78th minute equalizer from Cyle Larin who had only just been introduced off the bench, replacing Oluwaseyi. That was Canada’s first ever point in a World Cup Finals group match but they had been favourites to win the game. Still they were value for the point having had 61% of possession, more shots on target (4 to 3) and more corners (9 to 4) and they hit the woodwork and had 2 efforts cleared off the line.
This was how Canada started last time out
Canada: Crépeau - Johnston, Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea - Buchanan, Koné, Estaquio, Millar - Oluwaseyi, David
Qatar
Boualem Khoukhi was the Qatar hero in their 1-1 draw with Switzerland, scoring the 94th minute equalizer for their first ever World Cup Finals point. They had gone a goal down from a penalty on just 17 minutes and somehow stayed in the game as their opponents wasted chances before the dramatic late equalizer.
This was how Qatar lined up last time out
Qatar: M. Abunada, A. Al Oui (A. Fathi 60’), Pedro Miguel, B. Khoukhi, H. Al Amin, J. Gaber (K. Boudiaf 60’), A. Madibo (M. Al Mannai 79’), I. Laye, Edmilson Jnr (H. Al Haydos 89’), Y. Abdurisag (A. Alaaeldin 60’), A. Afif
The Betting:
Canada are priced at around 3/10 to win the game with the draw available at 5/1 and Qatar can be backed at around 12/1.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 17/20 and its 25/17 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
In horse racing terms I’m expecting Canada to “come on for the run. They were unlucky npt to score more than one goal last time out and I will side with them to find the net at least 3 times here.
Bets: Canada total goals over 2.5 at 27/20 with BetXchange
Note, odds are subject to change
