Bahrain vs Canada Picks and Predictions: Final Steps Taken Ahead of Qatar

With the World Cup less than two weeks away, squads are being assembled and final warm-up friendlies are played ahead of the most prestigious soccer competition on earth. 

For Canada, that means a largely domestic-based squad coming together in the Middle East, before the final team for Qatar is named, for a friendly against Bahrain. 

Before the Canadians' final moments of prep ahead of a return 36 years in the making, check out our picks and predictions for Bahrain vs. Canada on November 11 — and get ready for the tournament in Qatar with our Canada World Cup betting preview. 

Bahrain vs Canada odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook as of November 8, 2022.

Bahrain vs Canada picks and predictions

I don't typically like to bet a side in international friendlies, especially ones that will be so experimental and played out cautiously like this one before a World Cup, but -105 for Canada here is too difficult to turn down. Frankly, it's wildly generous.

Yes, this will be a Canada team set out with a result as the last thing in their mind, as preparation ramps all the way up ahead of the World Cup group stage. And yes, the squad Canada named is far from full strength. That said, their odds are not indicative of this matchup and the gulf in talent between the squads. 

By FIFA's (flawed) rankings, Canada are 41st in the world and were FIFA's biggest riser from 2021 to '22 after results such as home wins over the USA and Mexico, and away draws against the same opponents. Bahrain, meanwhile, are 85th in the world, and in their last competitive fixture — in June — they beat 135th-ranked Turkmenistan, at home, 1-0.

By the more respected ELO ratings, the gulf is even wider with Canada 29th in the world and Bahrain all the way down at 81. 

In the last international window, at the end of September, Canada dismantled Qatar in a highly impressive 2-0 win. That same Qatar team beat Bahrain, 1-0, in last November's FIFA Arab Cup en route to winning their group with three wins and a +5 goal difference, while Bahrain finished bottom with one point and a -4 GD. 

The last international window for Bahrain, on the other hand, saw them lose at home to Panama — a Panama squad without a World Cup to prepare for — 2-0. That same Panama squad finished fifth in a CONCACAF qualifying which Canada topped, and that same Panama squad lost 4-1 to the Canadians last October. 

The inherent uncertainty around friendlies aside, the only other reason for Canada to be priced as they are here is the squad. Head coach John Herdman has named a squad compromised almost entirely of MLS/domestic players, with Europe's leagues not yet on international break. That isn't the sizable disadvantage oddsmakers appear to be making it out to be. 

At every level of the pitch in Canada's squad, there are players who played a central role in getting Canada to Qatar and will again be central at the World Cup.

Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, and Richie Laryea are all likely to start in a back five when the World Cup gets underway. One of Mark-Anthony Kaye or Jonathan Osorio will be called upon to start in midfield with Atiba Hutchinson not at full health. Lucas Cavallini is not far removed from being a productive striker for Canada.

Beyond those names, the squad is littered with players with plenty of promise and potential, such as Ismael Kone and Ayo Akinola, and further names who have been staples of the program for years like Samuel Piette, Liam Fraser, and Doneil Henry. 

Canada's program has gotten to a place where even a second-choice squad should be expected to contend with CONCACAF competition — a level of competition that has, and does, tower over Bahrain. Preparation, not victory, will be Canada's main goal on Friday, but both will be achieved.

My best bet: Canada moneyline (-105 at DraftKings)

Bahrain vs Canada side analysis

As mentioned above, I wouldn't typically advise playing a side in a friendly such as this one but the lines for this one are too skewed not to jump on it.

Canada are going to rotate their squad heavily during the course of this match, could fluctuate between a couple of formations, and focus all their efforts on executing a plan ahead of Qatar with the result secondary. That won't matter.

Not only do Canada have the vastly superior squad on their side but the motivation, too. A large majority of Canada's World Cup team is surely already decided, but the players on the pitch Friday will be doing absolutely everything to make Herdman's most recent memory of them a positive one, should an injury replacement be needed. 

I am comfortable playing Canada on the moneyline and trusting superior talent and coaching to win out. 

Bahrain vs Canada Over/Under analysis

Now, this is where a little more international-friendly inspired caution will come in, which is to say, I have no intention of betting on the total here.

The Canadians are fully capable of dominating possession and playing direct, attempting to break down what is an overmatched opponent — perhaps in preparation for what Morocco could present in the group stage. That's what they did, to great effect, against Qatar in the last window.

Or, Canada could cede possession and sit back, invite pressure, and force the Bahrain attack to break down a compact defensive structure — perhaps in preparation for what Belgium could present in the group stage. Canada have gone away to lesser opponents in qualifying and set up defensively, so it wouldn't be a shock to see them do so here. 

Ultimately, Canada and Herdman's intentions for the team in this friendly will dictate the scoreline. Without knowing what that intention is, I am staying away. 

Bahrain vs Canada game info

Bahrain vs Canada key injuries

Bahrain: None to report.
Canada: Maxime Crepeau GK (Out).

Bahrain vs Canada weather

Friday evening in Isa Town won't bring much relief from the sweltering heat. Temperatures at kickoff are expected to be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 70% humidity and very little wind. 

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