The final round of matches in World Cup Group B take place on Wednesday night when Switzerland clash with Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina take on Qatar.
Group B Update
Canada and Switzerland both have 4 points whilst Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar both have 1 point.
A reminder that the final round of matches in each group share the same kick off time. Should two or more teams finish equal on points in their group the first criteria used to determine the final standings is the head to head record. The 8 best third placed finishers from the 12 groups will also qualify for the Round of 32.
Switzerland v Canada (Vancouver)
Switzerland
Switzerland put Bosnia and Herzegovina away 4-1 in their second group outing in Los Angeles, a win which should be enough t see them through regardless of how they get on here. All the goals came from the 74th minute onwards, Substitute Johan Manzambi scored their first and third either side of a, Ruben Vargas strike and although B&H pulled a goal back a late penalty from Granit Xhaka rounded off the scoring. Bosnia had a man sent off when they were only 1-0 down.
Switzerland were firm favourites to make a winning start to the group against Qatar in San Francisco but they were pegged back in injury time and the game finished 1-1. The Swiss had a number of clear cut chances but their only game came from a penalty converted by Breel Embolo on 17 minutes and their failure to put the game beyond their opponents was punished by a 94th minute equalizer from Qatar
Canada
Canada top the group on goal difference after dishing out a 6-0 hiding to Qatar in Vancouver in their second match and that was their first ever win at a World Cup Finals. Cyle Larin opened the scoring and Jonathan David grabbed a hat trick, Nathan Saliba was also on target and Qatar also scored an own goal. Canada’s task had been made easier by Qatar being reduced to 10 men when the score was 2-0 and then 9 men when they led 3-0 but there was a horrible moment for the co-hosts when midfielder Ismael Kone picked up a horrendous looking leg injury which ends his tournament.
Canada had started with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia in Toronto. They were 1-0 down from the 21st minute until a 78th minute equalizer from Cyle Larin who had only just been introduced off the bench.
The Betting:
Switzerland are priced at around 1.45/1 to win the game with the draw available at 1.85/1 and Canada can be backed at around 2.15/1.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at even money and its 15/20 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
A draw will see both sides through with Canada finishing top of the group and the Swiss second. Will the Swiss be hungry to try and finish top themselves with a win here? Quite possibly but I’m with the game to finish all square any way.
Bets: Match result draw at 1.85/1 with Lucky Fish
Note, odds are subject to change
Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar (Seattle)
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia are still looking for their first win after the 4-1 defeat to Switzerland in Los Angeles. They ere very much in the contest until inside the final quarter with the Swiss not opening the scoring until the 74th minute but shortly after conceding the opener Tarik Muharemovic picked up a straight red card and bar what was a consolation goal for Ermin Mahmic the floodgates opened
Jovo Lukic put Bosnia ahead in the first half of their opening match against Canada in Toronto. They rode their luck on more than one occasion but their defence was finally breached on 78 minutes and the game finished 1-1.
Qatar
Qatar had a miserable time of it in their 6-0 defeat to Canada in Vancouver. They were 3-0 down by half time and picked up red cards for Homam El Amin in the first half and Omer Madibo in the second whilst Mohammad Al Mannai put through his own net.
Earlier Boualem Khoukhi was the Qatar hero in their 1-1 draw with Switzerland, scoring the 94th minute equalizer for their first ever World Cup Finals point in their opening match of the tournament. They had gone a goal down from a penalty on just 17 minutes and somehow stayed in the game as their opponents wasted chances before the dramatic late equalizer.
The Betting:
Bosnia are priced at around 9/20 to win the game with the draw available at 34/10 and Qatar can be backed at around 58/10.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 6/10 and its 9/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Both sides need a win and I think Bosnia are the best equipped to get it but my play here is for 2 or more goals in the second half as the game will hopefully open out.
Bets: 2nd half total goals over 1.5 at 17/20 with Lucky Fish
Note, odds are subject to change