South Africa vs Canada Betting Tips and Stats

I thought Canada impressed in the main during the group stage. They may have lost to Switzerland, but they rallied and created chances. That aside, they were well on top in their draw with Bosnia, and blew Qatar away in their second outing. They’ve got enough about them to go one step further, and if they are to do that, then they’ll need to lean on Jonathan David.

Canada’s all time record goalscorer is also their top scorer at this World Cup. Granted, all three of his goals came against Qatar, but he’s found the back of the net at least, and there are plenty of forwards this summer who are yet to do so. The important thing, he’s getting into scoring positions and finding opportunities easy to come by; Jonathan David has amassed an xG of 2.59 so far at the World Cup, with 13 shots total and six on target.

Quite frankly, I think Canada should have the better of it here, and David should find space with which to work. South Africa haven’t been overly impressive at this World Cup, and their clean sheet against South Korea was just their second in their last 12, the other coming against Nicaragua. Canada will find some joy, and Jonathan David is their most likely route to goal.

He’s done it thrice, and I can absolutely see Tajon Buchanan landing this selection once again here. The Villarreal man has been in fine fettle at the World Cup so far, and against a South Africa side that I think are particularly vulnerable down the flanks, his driving runs will cause problems.

Only Richie Laryea has drawn more fouls in the Canada squad at this World Cup than Tajon Buchanan, but he has played more minutes. A look at average numbers, and nobody can topple the winger, his 3.33 fouls drawn P/90 ranking fourth for all players at the World Cup to play at least 180 minutes. As mentioned, this has landed in all three of his World Cup outings, but it doesn’t stop there; Buchanan has drawn at least two fouls in seven of his last eight appearances for his nation, and I’d expect more of the same against South Africa.

He’ll be lining up against Aubrey Modiba, who I think has really struggled defensively at times in this competition. No player in the South Africa squad has committed more fouls at the World Cup, with Modiba averaging 1.43 P/90. If Buchanan gets a run at him, then he’s going to cause serious problems.

This is absolutely the area in which Canada have excelled this summer, and given the way in which they play, it’s an area in which they can continue to have success. Canada’s width sees the corner count slowly tick over, and against a South Africa side that lacks height, it’s a clear avenue towards goal.

No team at the World Cup has won more corners than Canada thus far. Sure, their numbers may be somewhat inflated due to playing against a nine-man Qatar, but an average of 10.33 corners per game is absolutely obscene. They won nine corners against Bosnia, 19 against Qatar, and even racked up seven against a Swiss side that many would have seen as clear Group B favourites.

Tajon Buchanan and Ahmed Ali will be key here. The pair absolutely hold the width on either flank, and are more than capable of driving down the flanks and forcing mistakes from the opposition. As for South Africa, I don’t foresee them dealing particularly well with those runs; they play quite a narrow game themselves, and given their lack of an aerial presence, corners are something that every nation has been looking to force against them. South Korea won six corners in their final group game, whilst Czechia won five. Given the number Canada are putting up, that can be eclipsed.