Czechia vs Canada Prediction, Odds & Start Time for World Junior Semi-Final (Jan. 4)

• Canada is favored by 2.5 goals over Czechia in their semi-final matchup at the World Juniors
• The Canadians have scored seven or more goals in four of five games
• See my Czechia vs Canada prediction, along with the latest odds and start time for the World Junior semi-final

We’re are in for an absolute treat tonight at the World Juniors. The final four is set, with both semis featuring excellent rivalries. The nightcap will pit Czechia vs Canada, with the Canadians looking to avoid elimination at the hands of the Czechs for the third straight year.

Online sportsbooks like their chances, pegging Canada as 2.5 goal favorites. Personally, I think that line is a bit high, and I’m much more interested in playing the total. That number sits at 6.5, which Canada’s offense cleared on their own in a 7-5 win over Czechia to open the tournament.

Here’s my Czechia vs Canada prediction, along with the latest odds and start time for the World Junior semi-final.

Czechia vs Canada Prediction

World Junior Picks: Over 6.5 Goals (+104 at FanDuel)

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The action at this year’s tournament has been fast and furious, with goals being potted left, right and center. Canada has scored a tournament best 32 goals through five games, with Czechia not far behind with 24 goals. Czechia’s loss to Canada was the only blemish on their resume, and they stomped the Swiss 6-2 in the quarters.

Canada meanwhile, delivered one of the more dominant performances we’ve seen in recent memory in their quarterfinal win over Slovakia. The Canadians erupted for five goals in the last half of the first period, and took a 7-0 lead before the Slovaks could respond. After two periods, Canada called off the dogs, but not before they generated 32 high dangers scoring chances.

Slovakia came into the game with just a single win, but they were one of the better defensive teams in the round robin, and held the high powered Swedes to only three goals earlier in the tournament.

Canada is simply on another level right now, and they have way too much depth to be neutralized. Entering tonight, Canada has nine players with 6 or more points. Defensemen Zayne Parekh is the tournament leader in scoring with 10 points, followed by teammate Gavin McKenna. The Canadians have scored seven or more goals in four of five games, and could easily clear this total by themselves, just like they did in their first meeting with Czechia.

The Czechs goaltending situation is not strong, with both netminders posting a sub-.870 save percentage. Canada’s relentless attack will create plenty of scoring opportunities and powerplays, and this team doesn’t miss with the man advantage. The Canadians are clicking on 47% of their powerplays, which is the highest clip the tournament.

So why not just bet Canada -2.5? Because the Czechs are no joke on offense. Cihar Vojtek is tied for second in tournament scoring with McKenna, while the roster features six returning players from last year’s Bronze Medal winning team. Czechia has an abundance of speed and skill, which they showcased by lightning the lamp five times in their first meeting with Canada.

The Canadians have made a change in net going with Jack Ivankovic over Carter George, but I have confidence that the Czechs will be able to punch back. Canada’s defense has been getting caught out of position over and over in the World Juniors, leading to odd man rushes the other way. Slovakia didn’t generate a ton of opportunities, but the ones they got were quite dangerous, and a more skilled team like Czechia would have found a way to bury two or three more of those chances.

Czechia vs Canada Odds

The best place to bet over 6.5 goals currently is at FanDuel, who is giving us a late Christmas gift by posting +104 odds on that side of the total. FanDuel has the Canadians listed as 2.5 goal favorites, also at +104 odds, and -500 on the moneyline. Czechia comes back as +360 underdogs, and it’s worth noting they have won three of the last five meetings between these two countries.

Odds as of Jan 4. New customers can claim the FanDuel promo code and get a bonus to bet on the World Juniors.

Czechia vs Canada Start Time

Puck drop tonight is scheduled for 8:30 pm ET at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of the Wild. This will be Canada’s first action at this rink, after playing their previous five games at the 3M Arena at Mariucci. NHL Network will handle the broadcast duties in America, while TSN is the Canadian TV rights holder.