Canada vs El Salvador Prediction, Preview, Team News and Lineups 25.06.2025

• Date and Time: Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 03:00 GMT+1
• Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, USA, 

Canada vs El Salvador Preview and Team News 

Canada Team News

Canada started the Gold Cup 2025 under heavy expectations, and their opening match against Honduras seemed to justify the hype. They delivered a dominant performance, blowing past a capable opponent 6-0 with relentless pressing and sharp combination play. 

The scoreline could’ve been even higher. Canada simply overwhelmed Honduras with tempo and aggression.

Full-time from Houston.

Fin du match à Houston.

🇨🇦 🇨🇼 #CANMNT pic.twitter.com/LjdyrLid85

— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 22, 2025

But the second game told a different story. Up against a deep-sitting, disciplined Curaçao side, Canada looked flat. Their press was less intense, the ball movement slower, and they lost points when conceding a goal in the 90+4. It raised questions about whether the emotional and physical energy spent in the opener left them drained for the second match.

Now, facing another low block in El Salvador, the main strategy will shift toward wide play. Most of Canada’s attacking weight will fall on the right, where Tajon Buchanan and Niko Sigur are expected to break lines through one-on-one actions and overloads. 

On the opposite flank, Richie Laryea offers solid defensive coverage but lacks Alphonso Davies’ attacking explosiveness. Ahead of him, Ali Ahmed will be tasked with providing width and relentless running.

Make that 2 goals in 2 matches for Nathan Saliba 🔥

Ça fait deux buts en deux matchs pour Nathan Saliba 🔥

🇨🇦 1-0 🇨🇼 #CANMNT pic.twitter.com/uQpA1TdtPD

— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 21, 2025

Jesse Marsch’s philosophy remains rooted in gegenpressing, regaining possession high, and fast attacks. With Jonathan David and Cyle Larin leading the line, the idea is still to suffocate opponents before they can settle. 

But after two meetings with different energy levels, it’s unclear whether this group can sustain the tempo over 90 minutes again. A lot will depend on how quickly they move the ball and how sharp their triggers are when pressing.

Squad health is an issue. Alphonso Davies and Moïse Bombito are both ruled out, which limits depth and disrupts rhythm on the left. On a positive note, Marsch returns to the touchline after serving a two-match ban, bringing leadership at a key moment.

Canada predicted lineup vs El Salvador (4-4-2): St. Clair; Sigur, Miller, Waterman, Laryea; Buchanan, Kone, Choiniere, Ahmed; Oluwaseyi, J. David

El Salvador Team News

El Salvador at the Gold Cup have a clear plan: stay compact, defend deep, and make life difficult for opponents. That approach worked well in their opener against Curaçao, where they ended with a 0-0 tie. They were disciplined, limited space in central areas, and successfully frustrated the opposition.

But the structure collapsed in their second match. Honduras exposed the cracks, dominating both territory and tempo in a 2-0 win that leaves El Salvador on the brink of elimination. With just one point from two games and no goals scored, they now face the difficult task of beating Canada to stay alive in the tournament.

📍 La Selección Nacional Mayor realizó esta mañana una activación física en el hotel de concentración, como parte de su preparación🇸🇻#LaSelecta #ElSalvador #CopaOro2025 pic.twitter.com/HLwTCAOB76

— La Selecta (@LaSelecta_SLV) June 22, 2025

The biggest concern for coach Hernán Gómez is the team’s complete lack of attacking output. Despite the key man Jairo Henríquez starting both fixtures, El Salvador have created few, if any, meaningful chances. 

Expect them to stick with a 4-1-4-1, focused on crowding central zones and forcing Canada wide. The game plan will be built around surviving waves of pressure, protecting the space between the lines, and hoping to steal something on the counter or from a set piece.

El Salvador predicted lineup vs Canada (4-1-4-1): Gonzalez; Tamacas, Sibrian, Cruz, Larin; Landaverde; Cartagena, Duenas, Ordaz, Gil; Henriquez

Canada vs El Salvador Prediction 

• Pick: Canada to win
• Odds: 1.19 (22Bet)
• Score prediction: Canada 3-0 El Salvador

Canada have more than enough quality to handle an El Salvador side that have yet to score a goal at this tournament. Jesse Marsch’s team will need to be patient, break down a deep defensive block, and rely on the movement and finishing of Jonathan David.

El Salvador will try to defend in numbers and slow the game down, but their lack of attacking threat remains a serious limitation. Jairo Henríquez is their only real creative outlet, and so far, he’s been unable to generate clear opportunities. Against a more structured and intense Canadian squad, it’s unlikely to change.

Canada vs El Salvador Prediction, Betting Tip

• Pick: Canada. Total Under 3.5
• Odds: 1.34 (22Bet)

Canada showed they can blow teams away, like they did against Honduras, but this matchup sets things up very differently. El Salvador will follow the Curaçao blueprint: sit deep, stay compact, and hope to frustrate. Without Davies’ ability to break low blocks, Canada may find it hard to generate early chances.

Expect a low-tempo game where Jesse Marsch’s men will control possession but need time to break through. A comfortable, professional win feels more likely than another goal-filled performance. Canada to win, but under 3.5 goals, is the value play here.

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