Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
In the second round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage, Curaçao will take on Canada. The match is set to be played in Houston in the early hours of Sunday, June 22. Kick-off is scheduled for 01:00 Central European Time. My bet for this match is on a high-scoring affair.
Match preview
Curaçao boasts a squad with several players who have European experience, mainly from the Netherlands and Belgium, but overall, they are considered a mid-tier team within CONCACAF.
In the opening round, they played an unpredictable game, opting for an open style but exposing significant defensive flaws. Their attacking potential allows them to score in nearly every fixture, but keeping up with technically gifted and physically strong sides like Canada is a different challenge.
A goalless draw against El Salvador keeps their playoff hopes alive, but the decisive match for Curaçao will be their final group stage game against Honduras.
It's also worth noting that Curaçao confidently advanced to the third round of World Cup qualifying for North and Central America, but making a historic leap seems unlikely. In the decisive phase, they will face Jamaica, Bermuda, and Trinidad and Tobago, making their chances of reaching the World Cup virtually nonexistent.
Canada enter the tournament with a battle-ready squad, missing only the injured Alphonso Davies. Even without the Bayern defender, they remain strong contenders for the title, boasting a powerful attacking line-up.
Canada are not participating in World Cup qualifiers as they are set to be one of the tournament hosts. The CONCACAF Gold Cup serves as a crucial part of Jesse Marsch's preparations for their home World Cup campaign.
In their opening match, Canada barely noticed any resistance from Honduras, absolutely demolishing their opponents 6-0. Interestingly, team leader Jonathan David spent over an hour on the pitch but failed to get on the scoresheet. Buchanan stepped up as the main man, bagging a brace.
The clash with Curaçao also looks straightforward for this formidable Canadian side. The opposition is certainly no stronger than Honduras, so Canada are expected to secure early qualification for the playoffs after just two group matches.
Match facts
- Curaçao have lost just once in their last nine matches.
- Canada are unbeaten in regular time in their last four games.
- Curaçao average 2.6 goals per game, while Canada average 2.4 goals per game.
Probable lineups
- Curaçao: Room, Martina, Gaari, van Eijma, Floranus, Komnenencia, Bacuna, Gorré, Bacuna, Margaritha, Castaner.
- Canada: St. Clair, Laryea, Choinière, Waterman, de Fougerolles, Saliba, Ahmed, Oluwaseyi, Sigur, Buchanan, David.
H2H
These teams have met three times before, with Canada winning on every occasion.
Prediction
Canada are the clear favorites here, but Curaçao might be able to grab a goal if things go their way. An open, attacking game with plenty of chances is expected, which will play into Canada's hands. Curaçao simply don't have the squad quality to compete, so Canada should collect three points with ease and secure top spot in the group. Expect an entertaining, high-scoring contest—betting on over 2.5 goals looks like a solid choice.
