Canada takes on Group B winners Venezuela in Arlington, Texas in the 2024 Copa America. Last Word on Football brings you a Canada Predicted Lineup as Jesse Marsch’s side takes on Fernando Batista’s Venezuela.
Canada Predicted Lineup vs Venezuela
How Canada has Lined up recently
Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau has been outstanding for Canada so far in this tournament. The Portland Timbers goalkeeper has kept two clean sheets out of the three group matches, with his incredible performance against Argentina resulting in Crepeau winning Canada’s player of the match. In this match, he saved six shots in total and had an accurate pass of 71%. Moreover, Crepeau was responsible for nine recoveries, a high claim from a corner and was successful in starting two counterattacks.
Read More: Copa America Quarterfinal Predictions Including Uruguay vs Brazil
He was most noticeable when he prevented a two-man Argentina counterattack with a save from Di Maria’s shot and a one-on-one against Lionel Messi in the 64th minute. Crepeau was especially significant against Peru, gaining the highest Fotmob rating with 8.3/10. In this match, he made four saves and prevented Peru’s xG of 1. His performance against Chile also earned him
Canada has kept two consecutive clean sheets in their two matches against both Peru and Chile. So far, the Maple Leafs have only conceded twice, with both goals coming in the second half to Argentina. Captain Alphonso Davies has started all group games so far, making his 50th cap for Canada in the goalless draw against Chile.
Read More: Five Things We Learnt About Argentina During The Copa América Group Stages
Colorado Rapids’ Moise Bombito and Malmo’s Derek Cornelius have started every game as centre-backs so far. Bombito has played every minute so far, with Cornelius being subbed at halftime against Peru. Alistair Johnstone has played every minute at right back.
Liam Millar has continuously started at left midfield for Canada. Marsch has usually replaced him later on in matches with Toronto’s Jonathan Osario. This has been the case in both Copa America matches against Argentina and Peru. However, Millar was replaced from the starting lineup by Jacob Shaffelburg, who was later replaced by Millar. FC Porto’s Stephen Eustaquio plays alongside Watford’s Ismael Kone under Marsch’s system.
Canada’s midfield has been completed by Tajon Buchanan playing on the right. He was the most accurate passer in the match to play more than 45 minutes against Argentina, however has picked up a major injury in training.
Marsch prefers an upfront partnership of Mallorca’s Cyle Larin and Lille’s Jonathan David, with the latter scoring the decisive winner against Peru. David made his 50th appearance for the Maple Leafs in their last match, scoring his 27th goal. His last goal came back in May when he scored a brace for Lille against Nantes in Ligue 1.
Read More: Top Three Biggest Upsets in Copa América History
He has played every minute so far in the Copa America. The same cannot be said for Cyle Larin, who despite starting the last two games and creating promising chances, has not completed a full 90 minutes for Canada under Marsch as of yet. He has started 70 games for Canada, scoring 29 goals.
Recent Form
Canada successfully qualified from their Copa America group for the first time. Their first game was a 2-0 defeat to World Champions Argentina in Atlanta. Both sides had their chances within the first half, and Canada controversially had a penalty shout waved away. However, the difference came later on in the second half, when Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez snatched the points away from March’s side. In this match, Canada had 38% possession and an xG of 0.39 to Argentina’s 2.58 yet arguably the statistics don’t quite do them justice.
In their second outing, they earned their first-ever Copa America win, beating Peru 1-0 in Kansas. This was thanks to a David goal in the 77th minute. Peru was the better side in the first half where they had five shots with two on target to Canada’s zero. Albeit, in the second half, Canada was the more dominant side, with 53% possession with an xG of 1.6 to Peru’s 0.31. This win firmly placed the Maple Leafs in control of their own destiny, as Chile and Peru would have to win and hope Canada dropped points in the final match.
Read More: Top 5 Argentina Players to Watch at Copa América 2024
Albeit, Canada successfully earned a point, and thanks to Peru going winless in the tournament, it meant that they qualified, being alongside Panama as the two Concacaf nations to advance from the group stages, and the only 2026 World Cup host nation to advance from the group stages. Canada unquestionably was the better side and statistics back this up. The Maple Leafs had 57% possession had more corners and created more big chances. From this, they earned a point against a Chile side who only conceded once but failed to score a single goal.
Injury and Suspension News
Marsch currently has one injury to deal with. Tajon Buchanan was taken away in an ambulance after a significant lower leg injury during training. A regular for the national team, he now has 41 caps but will miss one of the most significant matches in his career.
Canada Predicted Lineup vs Venezuela
GK – Crepeau
LB – Davies
CB – Cornelius
CB – Bombito
RB – Johnston
LM – Millar
CM – Eustaquio
CM – Kone
RM – Laryea
ST – David
ST – Larin
