Canada v Bosnia: Back a 13/5 stalemate and 7/1 Bet Builder

Back Bosnia to play spoiler in Canada opener

Click here for Canada v Bosnia odds
Friday 12 June 20:00 kick-off
BMO Field - Toronto
Live on BBC One

Read the Group B betting guide

Co-hosts Canada start their third World Cup as 4/51.80 match favourites, which is quite something considering they've lost all six previous games in the tournament. Only El Salvador have as big a losing record in the finals.

Five of those six defeats came against European sides, but since the last World Cup they've lost just once, against the Netherlands, in seven outings against UEFA teams (W3 D3) - suggesting Jesse Marsch's side may have found the right formula against European opposition.

Canada's form in Toronto is also tremendous, losing just once in 28 games (W18 D9) in making this place something of a fortress.

Bosnia are 15/44.75 underdogs despite showing great fight to make it to the tournament, beating Wales and then Italy in the play-offs after losing just once in qualifying (W5 D2) - and scoring in all 10 contests shows they'll carry a big goal threat.

With both play-offs going to penalties it means Bosnia have drawn the last five games in 90 minutes though, and an opening game against tournament hosts is always a game the visitors would take a point from.

And with Canada producing five stalemates in the last eight, the 13/53.60 draw looks to be well in play here.

It's not a game that screams goals. Yes, eight of Bosnia's last nine have seen both teams score, but none of their last five have gone over 2.5 goals, while for Canada just one of 10 have contained 3+ goals and just two of 11 have had goals at both ends.

It's a huge occasion for Canada too, so don't underestimate the nerves they'll have, while Bosnia are great spoilers in games like this. While both teams to score here is 1/12.00 you could easily see that not coming off, while of the two, the under 2.5 goals is more fancied at 4/61.67.

Cards the key in 7/18.00 Bet Builder option

Jonathan David is the great home hope, with Canada's record goalscorer scoring four and assisting one in the last two major tournaments as he takes his place as 9/52.80 anytime goalscorer favourite.

Edin Dzeko somehow just keeps on going, and scoring, with the now 40-year-old still their best attacking threat with six goals from nine games in qualifying.

Dzeko is 3/14.00 to score but watch for the team news as he's been struggling with a shoulder injury, and even if fit he may be deployed later on in the contest off the bench.

Given the likely game state - Canada huffing and puffing and Bosnia spoiling and playing on the counter - I'd say this game is more set up for cards and fouls than goals, with two decent defences to boot.

Argentinian referee Facundo Tello averages almost 5.5 cards and 25 fouls per game over his last 20 engagements, so that's promising, as are the cards totals for both sides, with Bosnia getting 28 across 10 games in qualifying while Canada got 27 yellows and three reds, in 10 friendlies.

I love 2+ cards for each team here at 7/52.40 as both a single and a Bet Builder component.

There's plenty of fouls options to look at, but Canada's Tajon Buchanan gets the nod for 2+ fouls at 10/111.91 as he's hit that mark in five of his last six internationals - and he only played a half of the other.

Now get our tipsters' picks for World Cup winner, dark horses and tournament nap