The quarter-final match of the 2025 World Junior Championship between the Czech Republic and Canada will take place on January 3 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Czech Republic vs. Canada: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Czech Republic
The Czechs finished second in Group B at the end of the first phase of the tournament. They have been the most prolific team at the current World Juniors, scoring a total of 25 goals, while also being the most reliable defensively in their group (9 goals conceded). Key players for the Czechs include Jakub Stanczl (4+3) and Vojtech Hradec (4+3), who have been the team's top scorers. Notably, the Czech Republic has been a medalist at the World Juniors in the past two years.
- At least six goals have been scored in regulation time in the Czechs' last five World Juniors matches.
- The team has scored at least two goals in regulation time in 8 of their last 11 games in this tournament.
- The Czech Republic has won in regulation time in 6 of their last 8 World Juniors matches.
Canada
Canada had a weak group stage, finishing only third after four matches. The team secured just two wins, both with clean sheets, and was the most defensively solid team in the tournament, conceding only seven goals. Last year, for the first time in five years, Canada failed to secure a medal, losing in the quarter-finals to the Czechs (2-3). Notable player for Canada in the current World Juniors is Easton Cowan, who has 3 points (1+3).
- Canada has not won by more than a three-goal margin in regulation time in 6 of their last 7 World Juniors matches.
- No more than four goals have been scored in regulation time in Canada's last five games in this tournament.
- No more than five goals have been scored in regulation time in Canada's last five World Juniors matches.
Czech Republic vs. Canada: Match Prediction
Objectively speaking, the Czechs have looked better than Canada throughout the group stage of the current World Juniors and have been more impressive. The team was convincing in attack and only struggled against the group leader. Canada, on the other hand, left a mixed impression. On one hand, they were quite reliable, evidenced by conceding only seven goals in four matches. On the other hand, they created problems where there shouldn't have been any.
Despite Canada being favored in the upcoming match, it's hard to see how poorly the Czechs would need to play to suffer a heavy defeat. The Czech Republic already has experience facing Canada in the quarter-finals, having beaten them 3-2 last year. Back then, Canada had an almost perfect group stage and unexpectedly exited at the first knockout stage. This year, even at the group level, Canada hasn't inspired confidence for immediate success.
In the last three head-to-head encounters at the World Juniors, the Czech Republic has not lost to Canada by more than one goal in regulation time, and in the current tournament, they have only lost once, with the opponent's advantage not exceeding two goals. In my opinion, the Czechs should be closer to the semi-finals than Canada, but there are still concerns. I believe that even if Canada plays perfectly, they will not win by more than two goals.
My prediction: Czech Republic with a handicap (+2)
Michael Hrabal
Jan Kavan
Jakub Milota
Adam Jiricek
Jakub Dvořák
Jakub Fibigr
Matteo Kočí
Tomas Galvas
Vojtech Port
Vojtěch Husinecký
Marek Ročák
Adam Jecho
Adam Novotný
Eduard Šalé
Jiří Felcman
Matej Mastalirsky
Ondřej Kos
Petr Sikora
Vojtěch Hradec
Vojtěch Čihař
Dominik Petr
Pavel Šimek
Carter George
Andrew Gibson
Beau Akey
Oliver Bonk
Tanner Molendyk
Matthew Schaefer
Sawyer Mynio
Berkly Catton
Bradly Nadeau
Calum Ritchie
Ethan Gauthier
Gavin McKenna
Jett Luchanko
Tanner Howe
