Canada U20 vs Finland U20: prediction & betting odds January 5, 2026

The third-place match of the 2026 World Junior Championship between Canada and Finland will take place on 6 January at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul. Canada vs Finland: prediction, betting odds and statistics.

Canada National Team

The Canada National Team suffered their first defeat at the current World Junior Championship, which cost them a place in the final: the squad lost to the Czech Republic in the semi-finals 4:6. Trailing by one goal by the middle of the third period, the team managed to level the score, but then conceded again twice within less than a minute. On the current roster we highlight Zayne Parek and Michael Hage; they are the top scorers for the side, each registering 11 points. Note that over the past six years Canada reached the podium four times (3 golds, 1 silver), but in the previous two editions of the World Junior Championship they finished without medals. Add that the last time the squad played in a third-place match was in 2014, when they relinquished bronze to Russia.

• Canada scored at least four goals in regulation time in 5 of their last 6 games at the current World Junior Championship.
• At least seven goals were scored after 60 minutes in 6 of the previous 7 matches at this tournament involving Canada.
• The team won in regulation time in 4 of their last 6 meetings at the World Junior Championship.

Finland National Team

The Finland National Team failed to reach the final for the second consecutive time, losing in the previous round to Sweden. The squad were chasing for most of the match and ultimately managed to take the game to a shootout, but luck was not on their side (3:4 in a shootout). Note that the team has not won in 60 minutes in four consecutive games at the 2026 World Junior Championship (3 draws, 1 defeat). On the current tournament we highlight Jasper Kuhtu, who is the team's top scorer (2+5). The last time Finland took part in a third-place match was in the 2023 season, when they lost to the Czech Republic 5:8.

• The team scored at least three times in 11 of their last 12 games at the World Junior Championship.
• Finland failed to win in regulation time in 6 of their previous 8 matches at this tournament (4 draws, 2 defeats).
• At least six goals were scored after 60 minutes in 8 of Finland's last 9 World Junior Championship matches.

Canada vs Finland: Match Prediction

Finland, having benefited from relatively lenient opponents at the very start of the current World Junior Championship, enjoyed a confident opening, but they now arrive on a run of four games without a win in regulation (3 draws, 1 defeat). Canada, by contrast, look clearly more convincing, at least in terms of technique and attacking quality, so it will be practically impossible for Finland to clinch a spot in the medal positions, especially since their opponent, already out of contention for gold, will be determined to finish on the podium, and, given they have already beaten Finland 7:4 in this tournament, they know what to expect.

At the current World Junior Championship Canada had problems against teams they appeared overly confident against, but the semifinal loss should remove any illusions, so the squad will not allow weaknesses. In 3 of their previous 4 games at this tournament the Canadians won in regulation, and they have also beaten Finland after three periods in 6 of the last 7 head-to-head meetings at the World Junior Championship.

After two years without medals Canada is unlikely to miss another chance, especially since they entered the tournament among the favorites. We do not believe in a Canadian defeat.

Prediction: Canada To Win