In the next round of 16 match of the FIFA World Cup, Morocco and Spain will meet. The European team is the clear favorite, which is quite surprising given how the teams performed in the group stage.
Pre-match Breakdown
Morocco was predicted to finish third in their group at best. Few believed the Moroccans could advance from a group that also included Croatia and Belgium. But it was the Belgians who were eliminated, while Morocco moved on, topping the group.
A surprise also unfolded in Spain’s group. The team crushed Costa Rica, then drew with Germany and lost to Japan in their final match. Despite this, their 4 points secured a spot in the knockout stage alongside Japan, while Germany headed home.
The winner of this matchup will face the winner of the Portugal vs. Switzerland pair in the quarterfinals.
Morocco
Just four goals were enough for Morocco to top their group with 7 points. They started with a goalless draw against Croatia, then beat Belgium 2-0 and Canada 2-1. Impressively, they conceded only one goal over 270 minutes, keeping a clean sheet against the group’s top contenders.
The team favors a defensive style, spending more time without the ball. This approach pays off. Moreover, they excel in counterattacks and hold their own in other stats, even with less possession.
Spain
Spain started strong, demolishing Costa Rica 7-0. They were quickly seen as a top contender for the trophy, but subsequent games showed the team might not be ready, with the Costa Rica match being more of an outlier than the norm. They managed a draw against Germany (1-1), then faded in their third game, losing to a solid but not dominant Japan (1-2). Still, Spain has scored in every match, which is worth noting.
The Spaniards love to dominate possession, but that control doesn’t always translate to chances in front of goal. Shots are rare, and goals even rarer.
Prediction for the Match
We’re in for a classic clash of styles, with one side controlling the ball and trying to break down a disciplined defense, while the other focuses on holding firm and hitting on the counter. Based on this, stats bets are worth considering. There’s little doubt Spain will double Morocco’s possession.
For more traditional wagers, there’s strong faith in Morocco. Yes, they’re the underdogs, but it’s hard to see Spain in their current form pulling off a big win. So, we’ll go with Morocco with a +1 handicap, hoping they at least grab a draw.
Prediction: Morocco to Win with a +1 Handicap at odds of 1.90.
