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Recommended bets
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Match preview
Canada are back at the World Cup, after 36 years away, but opening games don’t come much tougher than this.
The Canucks actually finished top of the table in the Octagonal round of CONCACAF qualifying, remaining unbeaten against USA and Mexico.
Les Rouges’ only previous World Cup appearance came at Mexico ‘86 where they lost all three games and didn’t even score a goal.
John Herdman’s side are certainly confident of bettering that and, despite being in a very tough section, are quietly optimistic about their chances.
Belgium meanwhile finished third at the most-recent World Cup, but this golden generation are still yet to deliver the country’s first-ever major silverware.
Since then, they’ve exited the Euros in the quarter-finals, and been beaten by France in the Nations League semi-finals, despite leading 2-0.
Whatever the result, this’ll be an historic occasion for Canada, so can they spring a surprise at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium?
Belgium team news
The Red Devils will be without star striker Romelu Lukaku, until at least their final group game, so Michy Batshuayi will deputise up front.
In behind, despite having scored seven Premier League goals this season, Leandro Trossard may be left on the bench.
At the back, Wout Faes’ impressive performances for Leicester could see him complete a back three, featuring former Spurs stalwarts Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Faes, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Mertens; Batshuayi.
Canada team news
Alphonso Davies is Canada’s star man and has confirmed he will be fit to start, despite hobbling off for Bayern Munich as recently as 5 November.
He plays left-back for the Bundesliga champions, but is deployed as a number ten for his national team.
Ahead of him are Jonathan David and Cyle Larin, who scored 22 goals in qualifying between them.
In midfield, 39 year old Atiba Hutchinson will win his 99th cap, almost 20 years after his debut.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Borjan; Johnston, Miller, Vitória; Lareya, Hutchinson, Eustáquio, Adekugbe; Davies, David, Larin.
Belgium vs Canada: Head to head statistics
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