Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina: 6/1 for one apiece in Toronto

Canada have the weight of an expectant nation on their shoulders as the co-hosts begin their World Cup campaign by facing Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.

There will be much fanfare around the Canucks, but they have lost all six previous games at World Cup finals tournaments.

Bosnia-Herzegovina showed steely resolve to oust Wales and Italy in their spring play-offs and can once more prove stubborn opponents.

Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina Tips Summary

Best Bet - Draw or Bosnia-Herzegovina @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Correct score 1-1 @ 6/1
Bet Builder - Most shots: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ermedin Demirovic 1+ shots on target & Alistair Johnston to be booked @ 22/1

Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina Prediction

Best Bet: Draw or Bosnia-Herzegovina @ 10/11

Canada have lost all six previous games they have played at World Cups and will be under immense pressure to end that sequence in Toronto.

Jesse Marsch's side are on an eight-game unbeaten run in friendlies, but haven't played a competitive fixture in nearly 12 months.

They were reduced to 10 men in that Gold Cup penalty shootout loss to Guatemala and have had three more red cards in their seven most recent friendlies, ensuring discipline is a source of worry.

Bosnia showed their grit to come through their March play-offs against Wales and Italy via penalty shootouts. They just missed out on automatic qualification behind a strong Austrian side, having leaked just seven goals in eight games.

Sergej Barbarez's side rely on strong defending and rapid counter-attacking and have more than enough to prevent Canada getting the opening victory they crave.

With Qatar to come in Group B, both of these sides may end up pleased with a point on the board, if that transpires.

Alternative Bet: Correct Score 1-1 @ 6/1

Canada have managed six clean sheets in their previous eight games, while Bosnia haven't conceded more than once in any of their last eight games.

The opening-game nerves of a World Cup will play some part for both sides and, with the possibility of three teams progressing from the group, a real determination to put something on the board will exist.

Four of Bosnia's last five games have ended on a 1-1 scoreline after 90 minutes, including their last three competitive games against Austria, Wales and Italy.

Canada played out a 1-1 draw with Republic of Ireland in their final warm-up game, their third stalemate in four games since March.

Nine of Canada's previous 10 games have featured under 2.5 goals, while both teams have netted in eight of Bosnia's previous nine fixtures. A goal and a point apiece is a probable outcome.

Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina Bet Builder Tip

• Most Shots: Bosnia-Herzegovina

• Ermedin Demirovic 1+ shots on target

• Alistair Johnston to be booked

  Pays 22/1

Despite being the away side and conceding 62 per cent possession against Wales in Cardiff in their play-off semi-final, Bosnia only lost the shot count 19-14.

Italy went down to 10 men after 41 minutes in Zenica in the final and eventually lost the shot count 30-9, but it was already 13-2 at the break in favour of the home side.

At home against Austria in qualifying, Bosnia edged that stat 16-11 and it's clear they aren't afraid to have a pop at goal.

Canada's most recent competitive game was the Gold Cup defeat to Guatemala in which they had five shots compared to 11 for the 96th-ranked side – albeit the Canucks had forward Jacob Shaffelburg sent off. In their group stage draw with Curacao it was 6-6.

The European side may win the shot count here and Ermedin Demirovic is taken to get at least one on target.

There are major doubts over Edin Dzeko's fitness and it is improbable he will complete 90 minutes in any scenario given he has played just a little over an hour since the shootout win over the Azzurri.

Stuttgart forward Demirovic scored 12 goals in 25 Bundesliga outings last season, hitting double figures for the third successive season in the German top tier.

He's not as prolific at international level, and often plays second fiddle to Dzeko.

Canada's discipline is a concern and full-back Alistair Johnston is a candidate for a caution.

He was booked in two of Celtic's final three Scottish Premiership games - against Rangers and Hearts - and does have a habit of a caution in a big game setting as he isn't afraid of a tackle.

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Key Match Stats

• Canada have lost all six previous games at the World Cup, in 1986 & 2022

• Jesse Marsch's side are on an eight-game unbeaten run ahead of their opener as co-hosts

• The Canucks have kept six clean sheets in those eight games

• Bosnia-Herzegovina are also unbeaten in eight games, winning play-offs against Wales and Italy on penalties

• Both teams have scored in eight of Bosnia's last nine games, compared to just two of Canada's previous 11

• Edin Dzeko scored six goals in nine games in helping Bosnia reach the World Cup

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.