Morocco vs Spain – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
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THE FACTS
When is Morocco vs Spain on and what time does it start? Morocco vs Spain will take place on Tuesday 6th December, 2022 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Morocco vs Spain taking place? Morocco vs Spain will take place at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Morocco vs Spain? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Morocco vs Spain
What channel is Morocco vs Spain on in the UK? Morocco vs Spain will be televised live on BBC / Morocco vs Spain will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Morocco vs Spain in the UK? Morocco vs Spain can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app / Morocco vs Spain can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
MOROCCO
- Morocco came through a tough group as comprehensive winners, gaining seven points from the nine available to them and they have conceded just once under boss Walid Regragrui.
- Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou recovered from illness to start in the Atlas Lions’ victory against Canada and will feature once again in what could be an unchanged Moroccan side for this match.
SPAIN
- Despite defeat against Japan despite holding at the lead at one stage, Spain did enough to qualify from Group E as runners-up ahead of Germany, but without a win since that 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica, they must improve here.
- Full-backs Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba are expected to come back into the starting line-up ahead of Cesar Azpilicueta and Alejandro Balde respectively, whilst Luis Enrique could opt to play without a recognised striker, but it would be a big risk to drop the in-form Alvaro Morata.
THE TEAM NEWS
MOROCCO
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
SPAIN
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, P. Torres, Laporte, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; F. Torres, Morata, Olmo
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Morocco and Spain have met once previously in a FIFA World Cup final competition and it was as recently as four years ago. They drew 2-2 in the group stage at Russia 2018 with the African nation twice taking the lead and Spain salvaging a draw courtesy of a goal in second half added-time from Iago Aspas
- Morocco had only won two matches in the FIFA World Cup prior to this tournament, and they have doubled that tally in Qatar and have won two successive World Cup matches for the first time
- Morocco are unbeaten in their last four FIFA World Cup matches (W2 D2). This has equalled their previous best unbeaten streak which they achieved across the 1970 and 1986 final competitions
- In the group stage, Morocco became the fourth African team to go unbeaten in a FIFA World Cup group and first African team in 20 years to achieve the feat
- Morocco have lost only one of their last six World Cup matches against European nations (W2 D3)
- Spain have featured in the round of 16 on seven previous occasions since the current format of group stage followed by round of 16 started in 1986. They have been successful on four occasions (one via PSO) and have exited three times (one via PSO)
- Three of Spain’s last six World Cup round of 16 matches have required extra-time
- Spain have now qualified from their group in the opening round at nine of the last 11 World Cup final competitions
- Spain have lost only one of their previous five World Cup matches against African nations (W3 D1). This is their first knockout stage match against African opposition
- Spain have only failed to score in two of their previous 16 World Cup knockout stage matches
- Spain have not scored more than one goal in any of their last nine World Cup knockout stage matches. The last time they did was in the round of 16 in 1994 v Switzerland (W 3-0)
THE PREDICTION
Spain are expected to dominate the vast majority of this contest from a possession point of view, but the question is how many clear cut opportunities will they create against a Moroccan side who have proven their defensive solidarity tenfold under Regragrui, already shutting out the likes of Belgium and Croatia at this World Cup. Morocco also pose a serious attacking threat through the likes of the in-form Ziyech and striker En-Nesyri, who knows many of the Spanish players through playing his club football in La Liga, so Spain will need to show caution at times. This may well wind up being a very tight encounter and backing under 2.5 goals to be scored over 90 minutes has to be favoured.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
