2022 FIFA World Cup
Tuesday 6th December 2022
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Education City Stadium
Match Preview:
Morocco have never qualified for the quarter finals of the World Cup so they will be attempting something very significant in their history when they take on the 2010 champions Spain in the round of 16.
There has been a lot of praise for Morocco as they won a group containing Croatia and Belgium however because Japan won their group it means that arguably Morocco ended up drawing the more difficult tie in getting Spain. Morocco opened their account with a 0-0 draw against the 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and then were able to beat the FIFA 2nd ranked team Belgium 2-0. They finished off their group games by beating Canada 2-1 and ended up with 7 points meaning that they had won their group over Croatia by two points. So far they have scored four goals and conceded just once.
The real surprise in Spain’s group was that neither them or Germany finished in first place. Indeed Germany were stunned by being knocked out at the group stages and Spain had to make do with finishing in 2nd place. Spain looked assured for 1st place after they started their campaign in terrific fashion by demolishing Costa Rica 7-0, they then drew 1-1 with Germany before being stunned by Japan and losing that game 2-1 after they took the lead. Whichever teams get through would be awarded by playing either Portugal or Switzerland.
Team News:
Morocco: Achraf Hakimi well known to PSG fans of course looks like he will be ready for this game after suffering a slight knock though he will be assessed. Yassine Bounou is feeling better after being ill and is expected to start also.
Spain: Dani Olmo had some fatigue issues but is expected to be ready for this encounter, Cesar Azpilicueta has a calf injury though it isn’t thought to be too serious and he will be assessed.
Morocco vs Spain Head to Head:
The nations have only played each other 3 times with two victories for Spain and one draw.
The last meeting was in 2018 at the World Cup and that group game finished 2-2.
The last two meetings have seen the teams share 9 goals.
Morocco vs Spain Prediction:
There are games at the World Cup that become intense affairs, that can become so close and fought with every last moment of sweat and passion and we think this one has the markings for that to happen here. The countries by geography are not that far apart and certainly in the south of Spain much of the culture of Morocco is shared. This should be a close battle with very little in it although Spain will start as the favourites based on their history but also because they have one of the most exciting attacking teams in the competition and will surely give their opponents a lot of problems. Spain have also never lost to Morocco although there needs to be some caution there given that if we take their last meeting away which was 4 years ago their previous one was back in 1961.
Unlike Poland and Senegal who were never really in their knock out games as they were defeated by France and England respectively we don’t expect Morocco after their group stage showing to roll over so easily. But Spain with the attacking players they have should have enough in the end to advance in the competition.
Morocco vs Spain Betting Tips:
Spain to beat Morocco at 1.57
Anytime goalscorer: Alvaro Morata at 2.50
Over 2.5 goals at 2.25
Both teams to score at 2.25
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