Morocco will be looking to cause another upset when they take on Portugal at the Al-Thumama Stadium .
Morocco has been a surprise package in the tournament already dumping one European giant out of the competition in Spain, however, they will come up against a very strong Portugal team.
Walid Regragui’s side is well organized as non of Spain, Belgium or Croatia have been able to break them down in this tournament, Morocco restricted three heavyweights to less than 1.0 xG each per game.
What makes that even more remarkable is that Morocco is averaging just 33% possession in games, so they are restricting teams to few big chances despite those sides dominating possession.
It is going to take something special from Portugal to break down the North Africans.
Portugal have one of the best squads at the World Cup and have emerged as bonafide favorites this year.
The Selecao thrashed Switzerland by a stunning 6-1 scoreline in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result this weekend.
Kickoff – 4:00 G.M.T
Venue – Al- Thumama Stadium
Team News
Portugal’s most-capped player (195) and all-time leading goalscorer (118) Cristiano Ronaldo now finds himself consigned to the bench, and new Selecao star Goncalo Ramos starts up front instead.
Fernando Santos also omitted Joao Cancelo against Switzerland, favouring Raphael Guerreiro as the left-back and Diogo Dalot on the right, and that selection may remain unchanged.
For Morocco, Walid Regragui has several fitness concerns about some integral cogs in his well-oiled machine, none more so than West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd.
The ever-present centre-back faces a race against time after he was taken off in tears during the victory over Spain, and captain Romain Saiss completed the game by strapping to his leg. Furthermore, Sofyan Amrabat played through the Prediction/odd sack problem.
Morocco predicted like lineup:
Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Portugal predicted lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Carvalho, Otavio; Fernandes, Ramos, Felix
Prediction / odds
Under 2.5 Goals at 8/11 looks a very strong bet but the 0-0 Half Time scoreline rates a huge runner here and we can back it at 6/4 so that is the play.
Morocco – 5/1
Draw – 11/4
Portugal – 4/6
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