World Cup Group B Predictions: Matchday 2

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Both of the opening games in Group B ended level, leaving everything to play for as co-hosts Canada face Qatar and European rivals Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina lock horns with Elliott Bretland picking out his best bets.

Murat Yakin and Switzerland are under pressure after a lapse cost them victory in their opening game

Switzerland were stunned as Qatar levelled in stoppage time in their opener
Canada are aiming for their first ever win at the World Cup
Jesse Marsch’s co-hosts have lost just once in 12 games

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It’s all level in Group B ahead of Game 2 after World Cup co-hosts Canada were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina while Switzerland had to settle for the same scoreline after Qatar scored an injury-time equaliser to earn their first ever point at the tournament.

The Swiss will now face Bosnia in California at 8pm BST on Friday while Canada take on Qatar in front of their home fans in Vancouver at 11pm BST.

Here we pick out the best bets for the second round of Group B games.

Best Bets:

Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Thursday, 8pm)

Switzerland supporters will have been hugely disappointed to see the team concede such a late goal having led Qatar for more than 70 minutes.

However, losing the three points wasn’t for a lack of trying as Murat Yakin’s men recorded 27 shots but just couldn’t convert a second goal to put the game to bed.

The Swiss have an opportunity to redeem themselves but come up against a Bosnia side who are on a run of nine games unbeaten.

It must be noted, however, that only two of those games have seen Bosnia claim a victory in 90 minutes. This indicates that while the Dragons are hard to beat, they also lack the killer instinct to win matches outright.

Switzerland have also been held in five of their last eight matches and so a draw looks the likeliest result when the sides meet in California.

Bosnia’s last six games have failed to see more than two goals scored. In fact, five matches ended 1-1 after 90 minutes while the other was goalless.

Four of Switzerland’s six games since November have also seen two goals or fewer scored. Therefore backing Thursday’s match to feature under 2.5 goals is the most appealing betting option in this one.

Score Prediction: Switzerland 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Canada vs Qatar (Thursday, 11pm)

Canada and Qatar have already enjoyed an historic tournament and the 2026 World Cup will be memorable for both nations.

While the Maple Leaf nation are co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Mexico they also earned their first-ever point in the finals, as did Qatar after they scored that late equaliser against Switzerland.

However, the euphoric Maroon One celebrations in Santa Clara are unlikely to be repeated in Vancouver.

Canada forwards Jonathan David and Cyle Larin, who came off the bench to score against Bosnia, will be buoyed by the fact Qatar allowed Switzerland to record 27 shots last time out.

If the Reds can produce a similar number of chances, they should have success and find the back of the net to claim their first-ever victory at the World Cup.

Canada have lost only one game in the last 12, keeping eight clean sheets in that time. Qatar have failed to score in four of their last six matches and so backing Les Rouges to win to nil appears a wise bet.