Match #21
HFX WANDERERS (7-8-5) vs. VALOUR FC (4-8-8)
When: Saturday, August 26th, 2 p.m. CDT
Where: The Wanderers Grounds, Halifax, NS
How to watch: OneSoccer is broadcasting all Canadian Premier League games live https://onesoccer.ca/
MATCH PREVIEW:
Valour is quickly running out of runway to get back into the CPL playoff race as the club currently is in seventh place – nine points back of the fifth and final playoff spot. The squad needs to string together a run ASAP to narrow the ground between themselves and the two teams closest to them in the table – York United FC and today, opponent, the Wanderers.
What’s worse is Halifax has traditionally been a nightmare stop for Valour FC with the club having never won there dating back to 2019 with six losses and just one draw.
THE OTHER GUYS:
3 Facts about HFX Wanderers FC:
-Wanderers are 3-1-1 in their last five matches, including victories over Vancouver FC, York United FC and Atlético Ottawa, with a draw against Forge FC and a 2-1 loss to Pacific FC.
-HFX’s scoring has been balanced, with Theo Collomb and Massimo Ferrin leading the club with four goals apiece, followed by six players with three goals each – Tiago Coimbra, Aidan Daniels, Zachary Fernandez, Joao Morelli, Daniel Nimick and Callum Watson.
By comparison, Diego Gutiérrez and Kian Williams lead Valour with three goals each.
-Wanderers goalkeeper Yann-Alexandre Fillion is tied for second in the CPL with five clean sheets and fourth in saves with 46. Valour’s Rayane Yesli is first in both categories with six clean sheets and 68 saves.
VALOUR FC SPOTLIGHT:
#6 Dante Campbell, MF: Valour has missed Campbell’s gritty presence in the middle over his recent suspension due to yellow-card accumulation. A versatile player who has also played along the back line this season, Campbell brings a high motor wherever he is used in the XI and is a beast in defending.
CRITICAL NUMBER
10.18%
Valour’s goal conversion rate – goals to shots – which ranks last in the CPL. By comparison, Cavalry FC, which ranks first, has a 20.00% goal conversion rate.
All-Time: Valour FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC (including Canadian Championship matches)
Overall: (win-draw-loss): 5-3-9
Last meeting: June 10, 2023, at Wanderers Grounds: HFX Wanderers FC 2 Valour FC 0