Canada vs Cuba Predictions

It’s been a bit of a mixed start for Canada, who were excellent on match-day one, as they beat Martinique by four goals to nil, though they came crashing back down to earth last time out, losing 3-1 against Mexico. After their match-day two disappointment, John Herdman’s men will be looking to bounce back.

Canada weren’t great on match-day two, but they came up against the side that is now into as short as 10/11 to win the tournament, so they can be forgiven for not being at their best. That said, they were very much in the game, especially when they got on the score-sheet in the final quarter. Ultimately, they came up short, though their efforts against Mexico bode well ahead of a match against Cuba, who were well and truly outclassed by the tournament favourites.

Not only did Canada offer a threat against Mexico, but they were very good offensively on match-day one, as they beat Martinique by four goals to nil. That performance certainly bodes well, particularly as Martinique have since gone out and beat Cuba by three goals to nil. On match-day one, Canada scored four and created 4.0 expected goals for, so they really should hit their stride on Sunday.

While Canada enjoyed themselves first time out, Cuba were embarrassed by the Mexicans, losing by seven goals to nil. On that occasion, right from the word go, the Cubans surrendered goal-scoring chance after goal-scoring chance. To be completely honest, had they finished better, Mexico, who registered 27 shots, 14 of which hit the target, would’ve scored far more than seven.

Even against fellow minnows Martinique, Cuba failed to compete. Not only did they concede three goals, but they also shipped 2.33 expected goals, which tells us their opponents weren’t lucky. They also struggled to get going offensively, posting only 0.59 expected goals for.

Clearly from what we’ve seen from the pair at this tournament, this is a big opportunity for Canada to book their place in the next round courtesy of a high-scoring win.

In the betting, given the chasm in quality, there isn’t much that appears to offer any value. Canada ought to win by a wide margin, though the market is all too aware of that.

One bet that does stand out is ‘Jonathon Osorio to Score Anytime’. Osorio was given a rest last time out, though as he did against Martinique, the Toronto midfielder, who is very much cut from an attacking cloth, is likely to start in an advanced role, which against weak opposition, should afford him opportunities in and around the penalty box.

Osorio, who notched 13 goals for Toronto last season, isn’t necessarily the most prolific, though he’s no stranger to chipping in with goals here and there, while he’s unlikely to get a better chance to register a fourth goal for his country than a game against Cuba’s non-existent rear-guard. What’s more, the 27-year-old has registered at least two shots in each of the first two games, even when coming off the bench last time out, so he looks better priced than compatriots such as Holiett and Davies, both of whom are odds-on and both of whom are likely to join Osorio in the three behind the striker.