MY ACCOUNT
– Tuesday sees the last two last-16 ties take place
– Spain striker Morata could be main man again
– Portugal may rely on Bruno Fernandes
The remaining two last-16 ties in the World Cup take place on Tuesday when Spain and Portugal are both expected to join the other big guns in the quarter-finals at the expense of Morocco and Switzerland respectively.
Spain and Morata to shine
Bet 1: Back Spain to win in 90 mins
Spain began the tournament in blistering, total possession fashion, hammering Costa Rica 7-0.
They then were the better side for large parts against European rivals Germany but, after going in front, shipped a late equaliser to draw 1-1.
Their final group game was going to plan after a dominant first-half display saw them lead Japan 1-0 but a dramatic turnaround and plenty of controversy after the break saw Samurai Blue amazingly edge it 2-1.
However, it is clear La Roja remain a strong outfit who have got plenty right in Qatar so far.
Now into the serious business of the knockout stages, they are expected to iron out the defensive errors that have cost them and see off Morocco in normal time.
Bet 2: Back BTTS in 90 mins
While Spain should have the quality to prevail in this last-16 tie, Morocco can maintain their eye-catching World Cup and more than play their part.
Not expected to qualify out of a group containing Croatia and Belgium, the north Africans surprised plenty in the early stages.
They followed up a promising 0-0 draw with Croatia by deservedly beating the Belgians 2-0 and then they had too much for Canada in their final Group F outing, winning 2-1.
With four goals on the board from three games and plenty of attacking intent shown so far, they can again score past a Spanish defence that has been breached three times in the last two games.
Morocco managed an xG of 0.4 against Croatia, then raised it to 1.5 versus Belgium and, while they outperformed their 0.5 xG figure against Canada, they racked up eight shots, two of which were on target, in that final group game so they are no strangers to implementing an attack-minded strategy.
Bet 3: Back Alvaro Morata to score anytime in 90 mins
Alvaro Morata is clearly benefiting from playing under national boss Luis Enrique as his inconsistent club form seems a thing of the past when he steps out for Spain.
He has three goals already in Qatar and will expect to lead the line again against Morocco.
The Atletico Madrid forward has notched five goals in 14 La Liga games this season and five of his six attempted shots in Qatar have been on target.
Portugal can also make last eight
Bet 1: Back Portugal to win in 90 mins
Portugal won their first two matches — 3-2 against Ghana and 2-0 against Uruguay — before going down 2-1 to South Korea when they had already qualified.
They will be tested by a resolute Swiss outfit, who edged out Cameroon 1-0, only lost 1-0 to Brazil and then impressively beat Serbia 3-2, but they should be too strong in a game of this magnitude.
These two countries met twice in June in the Nations League with one win apiece, Portugal dominating at home 4-0 before Switzerland edged a tight affair in Geneva 1-0 just a week later.
Bet 2: Back BTTS to score in 90 mins
Apart from England’s dominant win over Senegal, the first four last-16 games all saw both teams scoring and this one can continue that trend.
Portugal have racked up six goals so far, conceding four, with two of their games also featuring goals at both ends, while Switzerland have hit four goals across their three games, and conceded three so far.
Bet 3: Back Bruno Fernandes to score in 90 mins
Bruno Fernandes has had a good tournament — the Manchester United man registered two assists against Ghana before scoring both goals in the crucial 2-0 success over Uruguay.
He was rested for the South Korea defeat so will no doubt be fresh and ready to add to his seven total shots attempted in the tournament to date.
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