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Morocco vs Spain Odds & Prediction – World Cup Round of 16

Gary Gowers

by Gary Gowers in Soccer News

Updated Dec 5, 2022 · 9:00 AM PST

SSpain defender Pau Torres
Dec 1, 2022; Doha, Qatar; Spain defender Pau Torres (4) heads the ball against Japan during the second half of a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
  • Morocco meets Spain on Tuesday, December 6 in the World Cup round of 16
  • Spain only escaped Group E via goal difference, while Morocco topped Group F
  • We preview Morocco vs Spain, look at the odds, and offer some picks

It’s Morocco vs Spain on Tuesday, December 6 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup round of 16. It all kicks off in the Education City Stadium at 10am ET.

Morocco have been the tournament’s surprise team and did exceptionally well to top Group F, which also included Croatia and Belgium. The Spanish, after a flying start, ended up grabbing second place in Group E only by goal difference.

We preview Morocco vs Spain, look at the World Cup odds, and offer some analysis, team news, and picks below.

Morocco vs Spain Odds

Matchup Moneyline
Morocco +550
Spain -180
Draw +295

Odds as of  Dec 5 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Use this DraftKings Sportsbook promo code to bet on this or other games.

Also please check out Draftings parlay boosts for the World Cup offering up to 100% in parlay profit boosts.

Spain start as odds-on favorites at -180 on the moneyline with an implied win probability of 64%, while Morocco, listed at +550, have an implied probability of 15%. The draw after 90 minutes is pitched at +295 with an implied probability of 25%.

Over/Under and Spread

Despite offering short odds on the Spain win, DraftKings are not expecting them to win by a big score. Over 2.5 goals is listed in plus money at +125, while the under is odds-on at -155.

Morocco vs Spain Preview

Morocco’s campaign has been one of the high spots of the tournament so far, and their 2-0 win over Belgium is among the biggest upsets to date. They were unbeaten in Group F and,  in addition to the win over the Belgians, drew 0-0 with Croatia in their opener and beat Canada 2-1 on Matchday 3.

In Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, the Moroccans have one of the best-performing players of the tournament so far, and it was he who gave them the all-important lead in that vital 2-1 win over Canada.

Eight Games Unbeaten for the Atlas Lions

This is the Atlas Lions’ sixth World Cup finals but it’s only the second time they have progressed to the knockout phase of the tournament. The only other time was in Mexico in 1986 when they were beaten 2-1 by West Germany in the round of 16.

Morocco are now the only African team left in the competition – after Senegal’s 3-0 defeat by England on Sunday – and come into this tie off the back of an impressive unbeaten run of eight games. Doubly impressive is that during that run they have only conceded two goals.

Morocco vs Spain Head-to-Head Stats

MOROCCO
VS
SPAIN
22 FIFA World ranking 7
2-1-0 Group  record 1-1-1
4 / 1 Goals For / Against 9 / 3
26 / 8 Attempts on goal / On target 38 / 15
1061 / 873 Passes / Passes completed 2778 / 2560
W-D-W-D-W-W Form guide (all comps.) L-W-W-W-D-L

Hard Going for Spain After Flying Start

It all looked a breeze for the Spanish after their 7-0 demolition of the Costa Ricans in their opener and they looked certain to progress to the last 16, but a draw with Germany followed by a shock defeat by Japan made it a nerve-jangling end to Group E. In the end, they only made it through via a superior goal difference.

The Spaniards’ defeat by the Japanese in Game 3 was overshadowed by a row over whether VAR had correctly adjudged Japan’s winner to have been legitimate, but shouldn’t disguise an unusually disjointed and low-key performance from them.

Easier Route for the Spanish?

As it’s transpired, by finishing second in the group Spain may have engineered themselves as an easier route to the final but manager Luis Enrique has warned his players that a difficult game awaits. A repeat of a Japan-type performance and they could well find themselves heading home.

These two met four years ago in Russia in the group stages and it ended 2-2 – a result that is far from out of the question again in 2022.

Morocco vs Spain Team Lineups and Injuries

Morocco Projected Lineup: Bono, Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui, Ounahi, Amrabat, Sahiri, Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.

Injuries & absences: None.

Spain Projected Lineup: Simon, Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Alba, Pedri, Busquets, Gavi,Torres, Morata, Olmo.

Injuries & absences: Azpilicueta.

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Morocco vs Spain Prediction

Morocco’s five-game unbeaten run coming into this tournament will have given them confidence and their two wins in the group will have added to it. They will fancy their chances against the Spanish, especially after their defeat by Japan, but this is also their biggest test by far.

Much will depend on how Spain reacts to that defeat but if they can quickly clear their heads, I expect their extra quality to eventually shine through. It may take patience and possibly extra time so, for me, there is value here in the draw.

Pick: Morocco & Spain to draw [after 90 minutes] (+295) / Over 2.5 goals (+125)

 

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