Can the Swiss surprise Canada?

Duell for the group win – the match between Canada and Switzerland can be summed up as simply as that. Both teams lead Group A with four wins from four games and the winner will most likely go into the quarter-finals as the top seed.

The Canadians are considered favourites, as they have been a little more confident so far and also have the slightly better goal difference. Nevertheless, this duel can undoubtedly be seen as an open game, as four of the last five meetings have been decided by only a one-goal difference.

With Canada and Switzerland, the two teams with the most goals in the 2022 Ice Hockey World Cup so far are facing each other. Canada has already scored 22 times, while Switzerland has scored 19 times and is only just behind.

Our prediction for Canada vs. Switzerland is that it will be a duel of equals, which will probably only be decided in the third period. With such an NHL-influenced attacking line-up, we also expect a few goals, which makes betting on over-points a worthwhile affair.

Canada – Statistics & current form

Canada is considered the top favourite for the World Cup title again this year – like every year, actually. And that despite the fact that all their best players are still playing in the NHL playoffs. Nevertheless, they come to Finland with plenty of star power.

A total of 20 NHL players will play for the Canadians in 2022, more than for any other team. The team is then filled out with hopeful AHL talents. This class was also felt by the German team on Game Day 1.

Will the Canadians start the game offensively again?

Their 22 goals so far mean an average of 5.5 per game. Of course, that included games against Italy and Kazakhstan, but they also scored five goals of their own against Germany or Slovakia.

Pierre-Luc Dubois in particular stands out with four goals already. This comes as no surprise, as Dubois has been one of the Winnipeg Jets’ most prolific scorers this season with 28 goals. In total, the 23-year-old has already scored more than 100 NHL goals.

Canada and Switzerland against the trend

Both Canada and Switzerland are bucking the trend of having a hard time against the underdogs and playing more low scoring games overall. In Canadian games, for example, 7.5 goals were scored per game at this World Cup – the highest value.

A bet on over 5.5 total goals for Canada vs. Switzerland is therefore a very good opportunity to get excellent odds. The betting providers regularly keep their targets below six total goals as the average value.

Key Players:
G: Chris Driedger
D: Ryan Graves
D: Nick Holden
LW: Pierre-Luc Dubois
C: Mathew Barzal
RW: Drake Batherson

Switzerland – Statistics & current form

Switzerland can now be counted among the top 5 nations worldwide. They have even reached the final twice in the last eight World Cups, but failed to do so on each occasion. A major title has eluded them so far.

It will be difficult this year, too, as the Swiss are missing their three best players, Niederreiter, Fiala and Josi – all three reached the playoffs in the USA. Nevertheless, the team has been convincing so far with four wins from four games at the World Cup.

Best defence in Group A

With only seven goals conceded so far, they lead the defence statistics in Group A, even ahead of Canada. This is the Swiss’ biggest chance against the Canadians: to somehow make the game a low-scoring game.

But we lack a bit of faith that they will succeed against Dubois and Co. Therefore, a bet on the favoured North Americans is the slightly better option for Canada vs. Switzerland.

However, we see bets on sub-points as an even more promising alternative. Should Switzerland score first, the Canadians are likely to throw everything forward. And even if Canada scores first, Switzerland has nothing to lose. Accordingly, we expect some scoring chances and goals again.

Key Players:
G: Reto Berra
D: Janis Moser
D: Jonas Siegenthaler
LW: Pius Suter
C: Nico Hischier
RW: Timo Meier

Canada – Switzerland Direct Comparison / H2H Balance

Of the last five direct duels, three went to Canada and two to Switzerland. It is striking that only once (Olympics 2018, 5:1 for Canada) the victory margin was more than one goal.

This suggests another exciting game on Saturday, which could only be decided towards the end. A lot will depend on how the Canadians start. For example, they were already leading 2-0 after the first period against Germany and did not let this lead be taken away.

However, should Switzerland take the lead, which the team has always managed to do so far, we see a very close game coming up. With Canada against Switzerland, the odds on Canada are therefore not the first option. Instead, we recommend betting on Over 5.5 points in this matchup.

Canada – Switzerland Tip

The Canadians are considered the favourites, which seems completely understandable after their performances so far. However, since the Swiss have not been defeated so far either, we would rather avoid handicap bets per Canada.

Instead, we base our bets on the performances of both teams so far, which have been very offensive. 7.5 goals are scored on average in Canadian games, 6.5 in Swiss games. Therefore, a bet on over 5.5 is strongly favoured for Canada vs. Switzerland.

Nevertheless, we see pure win bets on the Canadians as an alternative, whereby we do not want to predict here whether this success will come about after regular playing time, overtime or the penalty shootout.