The final couple of months before a World Cup kicks off are the hardest for the fans, who are searching for any clues that would help them predict how the tournament will unfold. With full list of participating teams already confirmed and the draw for the groups complete, sports pundits have some fodder for their projections. Consequently, regular fans in Canada and elsewhere are inundated with opinions that might or might not turn out to be true.
To help you deal with this deluge of speculation, we will break down how realistic are Canada’s expectations for the upcoming World Cup.
How Much Do We Know for Sure at the Moment?
The locations and participants of all matches in the group stage are already set. This means we can look at each team’s path out of the group and evaluate the chances to win each game. On the other hand, we still don’t know which players will show up so these projections are not very firm at this point. While it’s reasonable to think that the best players will mostly answer the call, even a few notable absences could tilt the balance of power. It’s also too early to know what the weather conditions will be on match days, and sudden rain could slow down the game and favor defensive minded teams.
Should We Take Current Odds Seriously?
A lot of number crunching goes into setting the odds, so even at this early juncture they reflect team power ranking pretty faithfully. That said, we are almost certain to see some movement as the tournament gets closer and large bets start coming in. Any news about significant injuries, results of the tune up matches, and even reports about internal cohesion in the locker room issues might cause a team’s odds to spike or slide on short notice. That’s why it makes sense to assume a ‘wait and see’ approach and to track how the teams you are supporting fare in the remaining weeks before the competitive games start. The odds stabilise as more intel becomes available and teams start arriving to the tournament location.
Does Canada Have a Realistic Chance to Advance?
Judging by the latest soccer odds for Canadians, there is quite a lot of belief that the host team will advance from its group for the first time ever at a World Cup. The main reason why this is the case is the absence of any high-powered opponents in the group with the possible exception of Switzerland. With the stands filled with loyal supporters, Canadian players will be highly motivated to make their countrymen proud, however these matches won’t be easy. Advancing to the round of 32 might be possible, but anyone expecting Canada to get far in the knockout phase is in for a reality check.
What to Keep Track of Ahead of the Tournament
If you feel like going fully into fan mode, you can start looking up some stats about the players who are expected to suit up for Canada this summer. By learning their strong suits and skill gaps, you will be better prepared for what the team can do in games that count. Stay alert for any quotes from the manager or the veteran players, as they have direct insight into the inner workings of the team. On the other hand, be wary of puff pieces in the local press that are sure to appear before the World Cup, as the purpose of such articles is more to rally the nation and raise the morale of the fans than to provide a realistic preview of the team’s chances.
