Morocco vs Croatia betting tips: World Cup preview, predictions, team news and odds

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Match preview

After stunning the world and reaching the final four years ago, how far will Croatia go this time?

In Russia, Croatia became the smallest nation since 1950 to feature in aWorld Cup Final, eventually ousted by France.

Earlier this year, Zlatko Dalić’s team qualified for the Nations League Finals, showing they’re still a force to be reckoned with.

2018 wasn’t a one off though, with the Blazers reaching the semi-finals on debut at France ‘98.

So, first and foremost, Croatia will expect to get through this group and, if they do, they’ll be tough to stop.

Morocco meantime will make their sixth World Cup appearance, only advancing into the knockout stages once, and this was in 1986.

Four years ago, Morocco were beaten by IR Iran and Portugal, meaning their credible draw with Spain was mere scant consolation.

Nevertheless, with Walid Regragui now in charge, the North African side are hopeful of springing a surprise.

Will either make a winning start at Al-Bayt Stadium?

Morocco team news

Since Vahid Halilhodžić was sacked, with Walid Regragui taking over, two star players, namely Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui, have returned to the national team scene.

Ziyech will start on the right-wing, and will have Achraf Hakimi in support, with Mazraoui over at left-back.

West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd and Romain Saïss, recently of Wolves, complete a very experienced looking back-line.

Other key players include Sevilla duo Yassine Bounou, who’s a high-class goalkeeper, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saïss, Mazraoui; Jabrane, Amallah, Amrabat; Ziyech, Boufal, En-Nesyri.

Croatia team news

Croatia’s strongest area remains midfield; few can boast a better trio than Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović and Luka Modrić.

2018 centre-back stalwarts Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren are in the squad once more, but Martin Erlić and Joško Gvardiol are set to start here.

Ivan Perišić has scored at four different major tournaments to date, looking to make that five in Al Khor.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Livaković; Juranović, Gvardiol, Erlić, Sosa; Brozović, Kovačić, Modrić; Pašalić, Perišić, Kramarić.

Morocco vs Croatia: Head to head statistics

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Group F table: