MY ACCOUNT
– Portugal have won four of their last five
– Morocco have failed to score in two of last four
– Recommended bet: Portugal to win to nil
Morocco have history in their sights as they look to overcome Portugal and become the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Walid Regragui’s side sprang a major surprise with their penalty shootout success over Spain but they face an even tougher challenge against the Portuguese, who chalked up the biggest win of the tournament when Goncalo Ramos’s hat-trick helped them to a 6-1 success over Switzerland.
Team news
Morocco may have a few issues to solve in defence. Nayef Aguerd limped off after 84 minutes against Spain and fellow central defender Romain Saiss was cramping up towards the end of extra-time.
Attacker Sofiane Boufal was another to leave the pitch with an apparent injury, so there might have to be a few enforced changes for the biggest match in the nation’s history.
Portugal should be close to full strength after cruising to victory over Switzerland.
Danilo (ribs) has not featured since the 3-2 success over Ghana and is unlikely to return.
Ramos appears set to keep his place and Cristiano Ronalo may have to start on the bench for a second successive game.
The stats
Morocco have the best defensive record in the tournament having conceded one goal in four games.
They have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight games and the only goal they conceded in that time was an own-goal in their 2-1 World Cup group stage success over Canada.
The Atlas Lions are unbeaten in their last nine matches, and six of their last eight fixtures have featured fewer than three goals.
Portugal have won four of their last five fixtures.
They are the 2022 World Cup’s joint highest scorers, alongside England, with 12 goals and have netted two goals or more in seven of their last ten matches.
Prediction
Portugal produced one of their most memorable World Cup performances against the Swiss and their varied attacking arsenal should help them get the better of a superbly organised and spirited Morocco.
There will be no shortage of support in the stands for Morocco, who did a superb job on Spain in the round of 16.
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was Morocco’s hero in the penalty shootout but he faced just one shot on target over the course of the game because he was so well protected by his team-mates.
Everybody played their part for Morocco but Aguerd and Saiss were outstanding in defence and Sofyan Amrabat delivered a colossal performance in the holding midfield role.
However, Aguerd and Saiss were not moving freely after the game and doubts over their fitness could hurt the Moroccans, who are facing an even bigger challenge.
While Spain often seemed content to pass the ball sideways and backwards, Portugal went for the throat against the Swiss with attackers Bruno Fernandes, Ramos and Joao Felix causing all sorts of problems.
They were far more dynamic with Cristiano Ronaldo restricted to a substitute’s role, and Milan’s Rafael Leao made a late impact with his superb 92nd minute strike.
Everything seems to be coming together for Portugal, who should breeze through to the last four without need of extra-time.
Morocco have failed to score in two of their four outings in Qatar and there’s value in backing a Portugal win to nil at 5/4 with LiveScore Bet.
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