Can Africaβs first-ever World Cup semi-finalists become the continentβs first-ever finalists, or will France move on step closer to retaining their trophy?
On Saturday, Morocco made history, becoming the first African, as well as the first Arabic, nation to reach the last four. Youssef En-Nesyriβs amazing towering header enough to see the Atlas Lions beat Portugal 1-0 at Al-Thumama Stadium.
Walid Regragui had already become the first African coach to reach the last eight, but is continuing to rewrite the record books, despite only taking over 105 days ago. His team have conceded just one goal at this tournament, and this was an own goal by Nayef Aguerd in a victory over Canada.
So, France will have to be at their brilliant best if theyβre to feature in a fourth World Cup Final on Sunday. Les Bleus edged-out England at the weekend, thanks to AurΓ©lien TchouamΓ©niβs rocket and then Olivier Giroudβs late header, getting on the end of Antoine Griezmannβs inch-perfect cross.
Under Didier Deschamps, theyβve now won 12 of 15 tournament knockout games, only eliminated once in 90 minutes in a decade. Given all of that, donβt expect France to cruise though this one, but theyβre still firm favourites get through.
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France v Morocco Bet Builder
Olivier Giroud 2 or more shots on target βοΈ
Sofyan Amrabat 2 or more fouls βοΈ
Over 3.5 match cards βοΈ
Morocco have been the most defensively sound team in the tournament and keeping clean sheets against Spain and Portugal in the knockout games just back that up even further.
Amrabat the anchor in Moroccoβs midfield and has an argument for player of the tournament with his robust performances in the heartbeat of the North African sides midfield. He averages 2.43 fouls per game and against the likes of Griezmann, Rabiot, DembΓ©lΓ© and MbappΓ© heβs going to have to make plenty of ground and plenty of tackles here.
Giroud, Frances all-time leading scorer, is always good for a goal for the national team it seems, and heβs already scored 5 goals in this tournament. On average he takes 3.4 shots per 90 minutes but is a clear danger in the air from set pieces, with Morocco playing their standard deep defensive line itβs balls in the box that are going to be a route to success for France and Giroud is absolutely vital for that.
Mexican referee CΓ©sar Arturo Ramos is the man in the middle and heβs card happy anyway never mind it being a World Cup semi-final, he averages 4.69 cards per game in his last 160 matches and has issued 4 or more cards in 65% of his games. With the magnitude of this game for both teams you can expect plenty of fouls here.
TipManβs Acca of the Day
France v Morocco
France to win
France are now the outright favourites to win the World Cup 2022 after eliminating England and Brazil also being knocked out. Morocco have caused many shocks though already and are the first African Nation to play in a World Cup Semi-Final and will not sit back and defend here. They have already defeated Spain, Portugal and Belgium. Their style of play may play into Franceβs hands though who attack at pace with Griezmann, MbappΓ© and DembΓ©lΓ© with Giroud in phenomenal goalscoring form as the pinpoint of their attack. This is a huge opportunity for France to play in another World Cup Final and we canβt see them blowing this.
Homburg v Hoffenheim ll
Both teams to score
Homburg host Hoffenheim ll on Wednesday evening in this German Regionalliga Sudwest clash. Both sides need a win to hold onto any hopes of being promoted this season and both have games in hand. Homburg are in good home form and have scored 2.6 per game at home this season, meanwhile Hoffenheim ll top the form guide with 11 points in their last 5 games, scoring 2.1 per game. Both sides have scored in 5 of their previous 6 head to heads.
Dewa United FC v Persib Bandung
Over 1.5 Match Goals
2 poor defensive sides go head to head here in this Indonesian League match. Persib away games have averaged just shy of 4 goals per game this season so we expect another goal fest. Dewa have conceded in 7 of their last 9 games whilst Persib have scored in 17 consecutive games. Persib should win here, but we are playing it safe at over 1.5 match goals.
Rapid BucureΘti v Petrolul PloieΘti
Over 1.5 Match Goals
Rapid BucureΘti host Petrolul in this Liga I game. Both sides have a lot to play for with promotion places at stake and Petrolul sat 5 points behind Rapid Bucharest. Rapid have scored 1.5 goals per game at home and conceded 0.8 whilst Petrolul have scored 0.9 and conceded 1.2 giving a combined 2.22 goals per game average. With so much to play for here we expect both teams to attack for 90 minutes and have taken over 1.5 match goals in our daily acca.
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