Canada vs South Africa Prediction, Odds & Match Preview

World Cup co-hosts Canada begin the knockout round in Los Angeles against South Africa.

Jesse Marsch’s team held control of Group B entering the final day. However, a loss to Switzerland resigned Canada to second place and a path outside Canada.

South Africa leaped up from fourth to second on Matchday 3. The African outfit won 1-0 over South Korea to advance past the group stage for the first time ever.

Check out the World Cup odds and my Canada vs South Africa prediction.

Canada vs South Africa: World Cup Odds

South Africa vs Canada Prediction

If Alphonso Davies fails to feature in the Starting XI for Canada against South Africa, my Canada vs South Africa prediction is the Total Under 2.5 Goals (-150). 

Evaluating Canada out of the group stage is a difficult task. Davies, the talisman for Marsch’s team, missed all three group matches.

His fitness for Sunday’s match remains in doubt. If he fails to reach fitness in time, I question how the Canadian attack breaks down a strong low block.

South Africa held South Korea and Czechia to few chances. The latter produced only 0.5 post-shot xG while the former created 1.4, per FotMob.

While the latter figure offers some concern, it’s worth noting 0.64 came in the 93rd minute as South Korea chased a result.

Without Davies, Canada struggled to create chances against comparable defenses. The unit staggered out of the gates as the possession-dominant side against Bosnia.

On Matchday 1, Canada created a mere 1.2 expected goals with 60% possession. By post-shot xG, Marsch’s team generated only 0.75 against the UEFA outfit.

At the same time, I lack confidence in the South Africa attack. Red cards played a role in their offensive failure against Mexico, but open play chances have proven few and far between.

Against Czechia, South Africa scored its lone goal off a penalty kick. Outside that effort, they created 0.6 xG and 0.4 post-shot xG.

On Matchday 3 against South Korea, the African nation created 1.2 xG compared to only 0.5 psxG. Only two of its four shots on target cleared 0.1 post-shot xG.

Those factors lead me to predict a low-scoring match, presuming Davies fails to feature in the Starting XI.