Morocco (2-2-0) is unbeaten in its last 11 matches with a 7-4-0 record ahead of this Saturday’s match against Portugal (3-0-1). The 2022 World Cup’s only remaining team ranked outside of the top 12 in the FIFA world rankings will try to score another upset as a Morocco vs Portugal prediction underdog in the quarterfinals.
Morocco Vs Portugal Opening Odds
Portugal opened as a -161 favorite in this World Cup matchup before betting action on Morocco shifted the Morocco vs Portugal odds down to Portugal -143. Morocco will be looking for an upset in regulation as a +450 underdog while the odds on a draw at the end of regulation are set at +250. The total has settled in at 2.25 goals after opening at 2.5 goals.
Morocco Pulled Off One Of The Biggest Upsets In World Cup History
Morocco’s outstanding defending was on display yet again in the Round of 16 against Spain on Tuesday. Going off as huge underdogs to advance into the quarterfinals, Morocco stunned the soccer world with a 3-0 win in penalties over Spain after the two squads played 120 minutes and extra time in a 0-0 draw. Spain had 77 percent of the game’s possession and outshot Morocco 13-6, but in the end, it was Morocco that came out on top.
While this was undoubtedly a huge upset, it can’t be written off as a fluke. Morocco has been a brilliant defending team under new manager Walid Regragui; an own goal surrendered in the group stage against Canada stands as the only goal Morocco has allowed in its last eight matches. That stretch includes a 0-0 draw against Croatia and a 2-0 win over Belgium in Group F.
Portugal Thrived On Offense Despite Cristiano Ronaldo Drama
Cristiano Ronaldo was upset about being subbed out in Portugal’s 2-1 loss to South Korea during the group stage, which prompted him to get into verbal altercations with both opposing team players and Portugal manager Fernando Santos. Santos benched Ronaldo in Portugal’s Round of 16 game against Switzerland as a result of this clash, and Ronaldo’s replacement, Goncalo Ramos, shined with three goals in the team’s 6-1 victory.
Ronaldo entered the match in the 74th minute but looked unhappy after the win, quickly leaving the tunnel while his teammates celebrated on the pitch. While this drama is likely to carry over into Saturday’s match against Morocco, Portugal obviously looked just fine without Ronaldo in the starting lineup in this impressive blowout win. Portugal is averaging three goals per game thus far in the World Cup.
Morocco: Keys To Win
Morocco has gotten this far with its excellent defending and will need to rely on that style of play again as a Morocco vs Portugal prediction on Saturday. Shutting down an offense as good as Portugal’s won’t be easy, but this group has proven it can’t be taken lightly.
Portugal: Keys To Win
Portugal’s offense has averaged 2.6 goals per match over the team’s last 10 matches. Scoring chances will be few and far between against this frustrating Morocco side, so Portugal will need to cash in on the chances it does create to get the win as a Morocco vs Portugal pick.
Portugal is 4-0-1 in its last 5 games.
Morocco is 5-3-0 over its last 8 games.
Portugal is 1-0-1 in 2 World Cup games vs Morocco.
