Which nation will lead Group B in the Canada-Switzerland matchup?
In the tantalizing showdown of Group B on May 20, Riga will witness a high-stakes battle between hockey titans Canada and Switzerland. These two powerhouses will duke it out at the Riga Arena, vying for the top spot after the group stage. Kick-off is set for 16:20 Moscow time.
Canada
Known as the pioneers of hockey, Canada has a rich tradition of reaching the final in the World Championships. They clinched gold in 2021 by defeating Finland 3-2. However, their past losses to Finland in the finals (1-3 in 2019 and 3-4 in 2020) leave them hungry for redemption. This year's team may not boast star power, but Calgary's Tyler Toffoli had an impressive NHL season, ranking 51st in the league's regular-season scoring with 73 points.
Canada has been a scoring machine so far, netting 18 goals across their first four games. Surprisingly, Toffoli remains goal-less. Defenseman Mackenzie Weegar has been Canada's standout performer, bagging three goals and making five assists. Canada has racked up victories against Latvia (6-0), Slovenia (5-2), Slovakia (2-1), and Kazakhstan (5-1).
Switzerland
Switzerland's national team has long been tipped to break through, but they fell short after securing two bronze medals in 2013 and 2018. Last year, they sailed through the group stage with seven wins before surprisingly losing to a modest American team 0-3 in the quarterfinals.
This Swiss team boasts a strong lineup, with a blend of players from the local league and a notable contingent from the NHL. Stars like Kevin Fiala, a key player for Los Angeles, are already on the roster. Nico Hischier and Jonas Siegenthaler from New Jersey are expected to join the team shortly. Despite missing these stars, the Swiss started the championship with three wins and haven't conceded a goal in 180 minutes of play. They bested Slovenia 7-0, Norway 3-0, and Kazakhstan 5-0 without conceding a goal.
Statistics
In the last four head-to-head matches between these teams at the World Championships, the result was a draw twice (4-4 and 5-5). Switzerland currently boasts the best defense in the tournament, with their team yet to concede a goal in three matches. The ITM1(2.5) for Switzerland stands at 2.67. In the past ten years, Canada and Switzerland have met six times in the World Championships, with Canada winning twice, and Switzerland winning four times. The goal difference is equal - 19:19.
Although Switzerland's head-to-head statistics with Canada are promising, League of Betting Odds considers Canada as the favorite for the upcoming match. The odds for Canada's victory in regular time are 1.86, while for Switzerland, it's 3.47. The odds for a draw in regular time are 4.65. As for the expected result, the odds are as follows: TB (5.5) - 1.88, TM (5.5) - 1.93.
Our Prediction
Switzerland may appear well-organized and structured at the tournament's start, but Canada seems to be lagging behind. However, the Swiss can expect significant reinforcements with Hischier and Siegenthaler for this match, which may boost their chances. Our analysis leans towards Switzerland winning with a handicap of +1.5 at a coefficient of 1.71.
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Sports enthusiasts in Riga are eagerly anticipating the hockey clash between Canada and Switzerland, with Canada's rich hockey tradition and a strong 2021 World Championships performance. The Canadians, currently in excellent form, have scored 18 goals in their first four games despite Calgary's Tyler Toffoli being goal-less so far. On the other hand, Switzerland's strategic defense has been unbeaten, with a record of three consecutive clean sheets in their matches. Known for their potential to break through, the Swiss team looks to reinforce their lineup with the arrival of Nico Hischier and Jonas Siegenthaler, which could tip the balance in their favor. However, League of Betting Odds favors Canada for the upcoming match.
