Pacific FC versus HFX Wanderers is always an amusing contest in the short history of the Canadian Premier League. The two teams clinched the playoffs in the 2023 season. HFX Wanderers finished 3rd in the league, while the Pacific FC secured the 4th spot on the league table. Pacific FC will be hosting HFX Wanderers on April 13th in the Starlight Stadium, and it will be an exciting spectacle for Canadian football fans.
Head-to-Head Record
Surprisingly, the first Competitive game played by the Pacific FC was against the HFZ Wanderers in April of 2019, when they came out on top. In their brief head-to-head history, both teams have faced each other 19 times. Pacific won 8 matches, while the Wanderers were the winners in five games. They’ve drawn six times in their overall h2h record.
In the final stage of the Premier League last season, Pacific FC defeated the HFX Wanderers by one goal to nil. So they will feel confident coming into this match, considering that the game will be played in their home stadium. Despite this, the Wanderers cannot be taken lightly since they average more goals per game than the Pacific.
Top Picks and Predictions
Trident forward Ayman Sellouf will be the point of difference in the Canadian Premier League this year. Sellouf had a fantastic run last season, scoring 7 goals and providing 6 assists for the team. Sellouf ended the season with the most goal contributions in the CPL and earned himself a nomination for Player’s Player of the Season. He is considered one of the most dangerous attacking forwards in the league and will undoubtedly create trouble for the Wanderers in the April 13th clash.
Pacific FC announced they have picked up their club option on Ayman Sellouf ahead of the 2024 CPL season. Therefore, the forward, Adonijah Reid will return to the club under contract for the upcoming 2024 CPL season. Reid had his debut season with Pacific FC, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 29 games. Standing at five-foot-six, he excelled in confined areas near the goal, utilizing his quick acceleration and low center of gravity to outmaneuver opponents.
Pacific FC has also signed Vancouver Island-born Goalkeeper Sean Melvin ahead of the 2024 season. Melvin has shown excellent goalkeeping skills with Atlético Ottawa in the last two years. Melvin started in seven matches for the team, including one in the Canadian Championship. The team was crowned the 2022 regular season champions and made it to the 2022 CPL Final. Melvin managed to keep three clean sheets during his stint with his former team.
In the upcoming Pacific vs. HFX Wanderers match on April 13, both teams are gearing up for an intense battle on the field. Pacific is the favorite, according to the odds released by BetVictor Canada. The odds suggest that Pacific is the favorite to win, with odds of -166, while HFX Wanderers are the underdog, with odds of +400. However, HFX Wanderers, as the underdog, will be determined to upset the odds and secure a crucial win. With both teams eager to secure points early in the season, this match promises to be thrilling and exciting.
One of the top performers for the Wanderers is the 25-year-old Massimo Ferrin. The Midfielder has shown great promise and exceptional skills. Ferrin scored eight goals and gave three assists under pressure throughout the previous season. He will surely make a significant impact against the Tridents.
Thomas Meilleur-Giguère of the Wanderers has been the most successful defender last season. The six-foot-1-inch defender from Repentigny, Canada, has the highest block percentage in the 2023 CPL season. With 22 blocks in 29 appearances, he has established himself as the premium defender for the HFX Wanderers. Apart from the blocking, he has made 22 interceptions and 139 clearances for his team, hence significantly contributing to the team’s success overall.
The fans on either side of the stands will be eagerly waiting for these matchups to begin. The top performers from both sides will come against each other to test their resilience and skills. The Wanderers defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère will have to put in extra effort to stop the dangerous attacks led by the Trident’s Ayman Sellouf.
Similarly, the Pacific defense has to be rock solid while facing Massimo Ferrin, who could be lethal when given the slightest sniff of a goal-scoring chance. All in all, there will be intriguing little matchups during the 90 minutes at the Starlight Stadium.
Final Thoughts
The Pacific FC and HFX Wanderers are full of talented players who could change the game’s outcome at any moment. Despite the Pacific being the bookmaker’s favorite, the Wanderer’s ability to upset the odds cannot be underestimated at any cost. Regardless of the final result, this much-anticipated game will be exciting for football fans all over Canada.
