Morocco begins their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Group F against 2018 runners-up Croatia at the Al Bayt stadium.
The Atlas Lions who were the first African country to top a World Cup group will look to improve their all-time best run at the finals when they reached the round of 16 but they will have to overcome a Croatia side that has won all their last five matches across all competitions prior to the World Cup.
The Croatians will head into this match with hopes of starting on high and emulating their run at the last World Cup by going all the way to the final having lost the trophy to France in 2018.
The two met once before in December 1996 in a friendly Hasan II Trophy tournament in Casablanca with the match ending 7-6 in favour of the Croatians on penalties.
FACTS
- Morocco has won three out of their last five matches prior to the World cup
- Croatia has won all their last five matches prior to the World Cup
- Morocco managed only a point at the last world cup and were eliminated in the group stage
- Croatia were the runners up at the last World Cup
- Morocco has won 8 games against European nations that are currently ranked in the top 40 on the FIFA rankings, lost 18 times, and drew 9 games.
- Morocco last won a World Cup match in 1998 when they defeated Scotland 3-0.
- Croatia’s 12 outfield players that reached the final at the 2018 edition are part of the squad in Qatar
PREDICTION, BETTING TIP, AND ODDS
Croatia is definitely heading into this match as favourites and look to be a better side that is still hungry for success after losing to France at the Russia edition, a draw for Morocco would be the best result for them in this match. TRY X2 @ 1.35 FOR CROATIA TO WIN OR DRAW.
