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Morocco vs Portugal Odds & Prediction – World Cup Quarterfinals

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated Dec 10, 2022 · 7:39 AM PST

orocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi
Dec 6, 2022; Ar Rayyan, QATAR; Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi (8) moves the ball against Spain defender José Luis Gaya (14) during extra time in the round of sixteen match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
  • African outsiders meet free-scoring European outfit  at 10: 00 am ET on Saturday
  • Morocco stunned Spain in last 16 while Portugal hit six against the Swiss
  • See our Morocco vs Portugal prediction, odds and best bets for World Cup Quarterfinals

North African underdogs meet in-form European stars in Portugal vs Morocco at the World Cup on Saturday.

The Moroccan side caused one of the biggest upsets at the tournament when it eliminated Spain in a penalty shoot-out at the last 16 stage last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Portugal stormed into the last eight with a 6-1 hammering of Switzerland.

It has hit the heights. But it has also been surrounded by a circus of attention upon the fact that aging superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped to the bench for the defeat of the Swiss.

Morocco vs Portugal Odds

Matchup Moneyline Odds To Advance
Morocco +475 +235
Portugal -190 -300
Draw +295 N/A

Odds as of December 8 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim this DraftKings Sportsbook promo code before betting on the match. Check out DraftKings’ parlay boosts for the World Cup offering up to 100% in parlay profit boosts. 

At DraftKings, Portugal – the 2016 European champion – is a wide favorite to win in Morocco vs Portugal at -145.

Meanwhile, Morocco is priced at + 475. The draw after 90 minutes is +295 – with kick-off at 10:00 am ET.

Portugal is the fourth favorite in the World Cup odds at +600. As seventh favorite, Morocco is priced at +3500.

Morocco vs Portugal Preview

Strikingly, Portugal racked up the first hat-trick in Qatar when youngster Goncalo Ramos scored three times against the Swiss.

This caused a huge stir because Benfica’s 21-year-old Ramos had been brought into the side as a replacement for Ronaldo.

It surely means the unhappy Ronaldo is unlikely to win back his starting place in Morocco vs Portugal.

Despite Portugal’s free-scoring win in the last 16, it will come up against a tough defensive unit in the Moroccan side.

It allowed Spain a vastly superior amount of possession. But it plugged all the defensive gaps which meant there were few chances at either end.

Spain then missed all three of its penalties while Morocco won the shoot-out in style.

Goalkeeper Bono was one hero with his saves. But there was also a superb moment from Paris St.Germain’s Achraf Hakimi who won the shoot-out with a cool, deftly-dinked “Panenka” penalty.

The Moroccans had already caused one upset with a 2-0 defeat of highly-rated Belgium in the group stage,

With a 0-0 draw against Croatia and a 2-1 defeat of Canada, it won Group F.

Portugal was the winner of Group H.

It opened with a 3-2 defeat of Ghana. Then, subsequently, there was a 2-0 win against Uruguay. Finally, there was a surprise 2-1 defeat by South Korea.

Over/Under & Spread

Morocco has conceded only one goal in open play in four games in Qatar. And that was an own goal by West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd in the final group game against Canada.

So despite the fact that Portugal has scored 12 times, goals could be tight in Morocco vs Portugal.

At Draftkings, the oddsmakers suggest it could be about narrow margins with a price of -150 for there to be fewer than three strikes (TG Un 2.5.)

Morocco vs Portugal Statistics

Morocco
VS
Portugal
2 Wins 3
2* Draws 0
0 Losses 1
4 Goals 12
1 Goals Against 5
3 Yellow Cards 5
0 Red Cards 0
3 Clean Sheets 1

* Morocco drew with Spain – won on penalties

**Statistics from World Cup finals 2022

For there to be only one goal in Morocco vs Portugal, the offer is more promising at +215 (TG Un 1.5.)

There are attractive offers for the goals to flow more freely. A price of +300 is offered for there to be four goals or more (TG Ov 3.5.)

Among the spread offers, Portugal is priced at -105 to win by two goals or more (Spread Regular Time -1.5.)

Moreover, Morocco is rated at +450 to win – with the bet a loser if the game is tied after 90 minutes or the Moroccans are defeated  (Spread Regular Time -0.5.).

Cristiano Ronaldo to Score Odds

Surprisingly, the superstar Cristian Ronaldo remains the favorite to get on the score sheet even though he may not start in Morocco vs Portugal.

He is priced at +130 to score at any time – or +300 to score first or last.

Ronaldo has one goal at the competition. It was a penalty against Ghana. 

Hat-trick hero Goncalo Ramos is the second favorite at + 160 with Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes at +210.

Youseff En-Nasyri of Spanish club Sevilla – who scored against Canada – is the most favored Moroccan player to hit the target at +350.

Morocco vs Portugal History

Ahead of Morocco vs Portugal, these teams met in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a 1-0 Portuguese win.

They also met at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico with Morocco winning 3-1.

Morocco vs Portugal Line-Ups & Injuries

Morocco Projected Line-Up: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Amrabat, Amallah, Ounahi; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.

 Morocco Injuries: Aguerd (possible)

 Portugal Projected Line-Up: Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Neves, Otavio; Silva, Fernandes, Felix; Ramos.

 Portugal Injuries: Mendes, Pereira

Morocco vs Portugal Pick

The Moroccans have been impressive defensively. But Portugal has been scoring lots of goals. Does something have to give? Morocco may already have hit an emotional peak while Portugal has great momentum – and could win by two goals or more.

Portugal +105 (Spread -1.5)

 

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