Canada can move a step closer to ending its World Cup drought when it plays the first leg of a two-match, total-goal series against Haiti on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET at Sylvio Cator Stadium in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Canadians have played in soccer's signature event only once, in 1986. After Saturday's match, Canada and Haiti will play again on June 15 with the aggregate winner advancing to Concacaf's final eight. Saturday's match is one of three second-round World Cup qualifying matches. The others are El Salvador against St. Kitts and Nevis, and Curaçao against Panama. They can all be streamed on Paramount+.
William Hill Sportsbook lists Canada as the -182 money-line favorite (risk $182 to win $100) against Haiti, while El Salvador is also listed at -182 vs. St. Kitts and Nevis for that 4 p.m. ET matchup. Panama is -187 against Curacao in the latest Concacaf World Cup qualifying odds as that game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET. Before making any FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifying matchup picks, check out the soccer predictions and best bets from SportsLine and CBS expert Tom Fornelli.
Fornelli has been a CBS Sports writer since 2010 and is a consistent winner who has demonstrated his expertise in every single sport. The entertaining Fornelli often makes appearances on The Early Edge, SportsLine's daily betting podcast. He has returned 4.2 percent in profit on his Early Edge picks, including an impressive Champions League semifinal round in which he nailed both winners and a +320 prop that cashed big for anyone tailing his picks.
Now, Fornelli has released his best bets for the Concacaf qualifying matchups for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Saturday. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks.
Top FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifying predictions
One of Fornelli's Concacaf picks for Saturday: He is high on Panama beating Curacao at the Estadio Nacional Rod Carew in Panama City, Panama. Known as Los Canaleros, Panama can draw upon the experience of having qualified for the World Cup.
Four years ago the team finished third behind Mexico and Costa Rica to take one of Concacaf's three automatic qualifying spots. Curacao has never qualified for the World Cup.
In addition, Los Canaleros feature a plethora of goalscorers. During the first round matches, the team had 11 different goalscorers, including Gabriel Torres, who scored four times. Behind its explosive attack Panama outscored its opponents 19-1 in the first round.
How to make FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifying picks for June 12
Fornelli has also locked in two other best bets for Saturday, including a strong play in the Canada vs. Haiti matchup. He's only sharing his top picks here.
So who should you back in Saturday's FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifying matchups? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see Fornelli's top picks, all from the soccer expert who has nailed his picks on SportsLine's Early Edge betting podcast.
