Wednesday 20th June 1300hrs Portugal v Morocco Football – International – World Cup We’re not even a week into the World Cup but the nature of the competition is such that Morocco’s fate could be sealed by close of play tomorrow. Lose against Portugal and a Spain win would see the Africans eliminated with one game left to play. Equally, that set of results would set the current European champions nicely for a final match against Iran next Monday. That’s only one permutation of course with plenty of others in play. Read on for a preview and best betting tips for Wednesday’s clash between Portugal and Morocco.
It may have just been the second day of this World Cup but we may have already seen the individual performance of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick against Iberian rivals Spain on Friday was breath taking and strengthened his case to be named the best ever. Although Portugal were crowned European Champions in 2016, it was far from a vintage competition for Ronaldo and his injury early in the final tainted the triumph somewhat. He wasted no time in this major competition to lay down a marker to everybody else and is now on course to win his first ever World Cup golden boot. It must be noted, however, that his goals only resulted in a draw and one point from that game which means they have to get the wins against Morocco and Iran in order to guarantee their progress. A couple more performance from Ronaldo like the one against Spain and that should be pretty straightforward.
Many of the Moroccan team were in bits following the agonising 1-0 loss to Iran which began their tournament. It was game they targeted as a must win to stand any chance of progressing from such a tough section, and to take nothing from it has left them right up against it. The manner of their loss will also sting considering it was an own goal in the last minute but they somehow have to pick themselves up. Coach Herve Renard will be under no illusions as to the task that awaits them with his side have to take at least four points from two nations who have shared the last three European Championships between them. In order to get anywhere close to that total and make the improbable possible, the Moroccans have to carry a much greater threat going forward. All too often against Iran they were able to work the ball into good positions but lacked any cutting edge or confidence in front of goal.
Portugal v Morocco Betting Tip
Only Senegal of the African contingent at this World Cup have shown anything in the first round of games that would suggest they care capable of getting out the group stage. Egypt are likely to be eliminated on Wednesday whilst Nigeria and Tunisia will have to go some in order to recover from their respective losses in the opening game. That also applies to Morocco who will have to spring upsets against Portugal in the first instance and then Spain next week. It’s extremely unlikely and I can actually see them joining Egypt in being eliminated tomorrow should results go against them. The first thing that has to happen for that to be the case if Portugal to record a win and they can do so at what I believe are pretty generous odds.
Betting Tip Portugal 4/6 @ Betway
