We’re into the quarter finals and Saturday afternoon sees surprise package Morocco take on the might of Portugal from the Al Thumama Stadium. We’ve, as always, previewed the game, looked at team news and provided you with our best betting tips.
Morocco vs Portugal Betting Tips
Not many people were thinking about Fernando Santos’s men as a genuine threat for the FIFA World Cup Trophy but that all changed with a ruthless 6-1 demolition of Switzerland. Even more impressive was they did it without their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The ageing striker was benched after a poor reaction, when subbed in their group game loss against South Korea. Up stepped Benfica youngster Gonçalo Ramos, who absolutely dominated, scoring a stunning hat trick as well as laying on an assist for Raphaël Guerreiro.
Now it looks unlikely that CR7 will feature from the start against Morocco, however, one of the goats of the game could be more than useful if the Atlas Lions keep up their mean defensive streak and the game goes long.
Walid Regragui’s charges have conceded just once, in their four games thus far and that was an own goal against Canada. The 47-year-old has the team playing unbelievably well, organised defensive football and are currently unbeaten under his reign.
Morocco are the only non South American / European side left in the competition and have reached the quarter finals for the first time in their career. Can they now pull off the ultimate shock and reach the final four?
Team News:
Regragui is sweating on the fitness of defensive stalwart Romain Saiss. Nayef Aguerd seems sure to miss out, after coming off with a groin injury against Spain.
Portugal are only missing Nuno Mendes who was ruled out for the tournament and Danilo Pereira who didn’t make the squad for the Switzerland game.
Portugal to win and BTTS No – 6/4
I fully expect this game to be a tighter affair than Portugal’s 6-1 smashing off the Swiss. Morocco are superbly organised and defensively sound but this Portuguese side has some special attacking players.
I simply can’t see Saiss and co keeping the likes of Ramos, Silva, Fernandes and Felix out for the full 90 mins. Then it’s just a matter of if the Atlas Lions can equalise. I don’t think they will.
Pepe 1+ shot on target – 4/1
39-year-old central defender Pepe, became the 2nd oldest ever World Cup goal scorer behind Roger Milla, with his headed goal against Switzerland and was a constant threat from set pieces.
Pepe is averaging 0.8 shots per game this season for club and country and the 4/1 on offer looks large to register a shot on target from a dead ball situation.
*All prices correct at the time of writing.
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