The semi-final line-up at the FIFA World Cup will be finalised on Saturday when the two remaining spots get filled. One of them will go to either Morocco or Portugal who meet in the first of the two games across the day.
Morocco are enjoying a dream run in this tournament and having put out one Iberian side in the last round they will be out to get rid of another here. Portugal announced themselves as genuine title challengers last time out and will be aiming to back that up here.
Where to watch
This match will be shown live and in full on the ITV 1 channel in the UK with the build-up to the contest beginning at 2pm. Kick off will take place at 3pm.
Morocco
The incredible Morocco run at this tournament has made it into the last eight courtesy of a real backs against the wall victory over a disappointing Spain side last time out. Their key players are really emerging in this tournament with Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech and Sofyan Amrabat all really standing out in the last game and at different times in the group phase. If they go well again here then Morocco could finally end that absence of an African side in the last four of the World Cup.
It might be that Morocco match up well to Portugal here. We know they are going to be tight and compact in defence and if Spain couldn’t find a way through it will be interesting to see if Portugal can. Morocco have still only conceded a solitary own goal in seven matches under their new coach. You would think the African side will need to be a little more clinical at the other end. The concern is having not been behind for so long, do they have a plan B should they concede first here and need to chase the game.
Portugal
Portugal just seemed to be sauntering along in this tournament after the group phase but they put all that sort of talk to bed in the Round of 16 when they absolutely demolished Switzerland 6-1. All the talk going into that match was about Cristiano Ronaldo but he was soon forgotten about as a younger, vibrant Portuguese side got into their opponents and never relented the advantage. I always think it is a good sign when a team want to destroy an opponent. It means they are enjoying themselves and that is half of the job here.
There are still doubts over the strength of the Portugal defence. Even a Swiss side who had the fight beaten out of them still managed to score in the last round, which means that Portugal are still searching for a convincing defensive performance. Even the clean sheet they kept against Uruguay needed the woodwork to save them. Clean sheets won’t matter much if they attack with the same quality they showed against the Swiss though.
Special Offer
Sign up for a Boylesports account and bet £10 to get up to £20 in free bets! Perfect offer for this tournament! Click the image below for this great offer! New accounts only. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Team News
West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd is rated as a major doubt for this match after he went off injured in the win over Spain. The Morocco side could be rotated to keep them fresh after a really hard physical workout.
Fernando Santos has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is available for this match but he hasn’t declared whether his legendary attacker will start the match. If he does he might have to replace Joao Felix after Goncalo Ramos announced himself to this stage with a hat trick against the Swiss.
Betting
I love a romantic underdog story as much as the next person but I think the Morocco story comes to an end here against a Portugal side who just have a little bit too much at the top end of the pitch to be kept at bay. So far, Morocco have played some shot shy teams in a Belgium outfit which had no Romelu Lukaku, a Croatia team without a number nine, a weak Canada side and a Spain team who pass more than a toddler on Mastermind. This is the first time they come up against a side with a real attacking threat down the middle of the pitch with a midfield to back it up.
Portugal have shown throughout this tournament that they are not just good with their starting XI, they can change and win games from the bench. The exciting Rafael Leao keeps coming off the bench to good effect and it might be that Cristiano Ronaldo comes off it when Morocco are getting tired here. I do respect Morocco defensively though. I don’t see them suddenly just crumbling but I do think they are overmatched here, especially if injuries are starting to catch up with them. Fernando Santos has an embarrassment of options at his disposal and I’ll back him to use them correctly to get a win which has under 4.5 goals.
Tips
Back Portugal to win and under 4.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.90 with Betway
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2022
