Morocco's Quality Will See Off Iran
St Petersburg will be the scene for a game that has got many who aren’t as World Cup savvy rolling their eyes. The truth is, this is a key match for both teams who have to compete with World Cup heavyweights Spain and Portugal if they want to get out of Group B.
Morocco
Solid, tenacious and with a fierce sense of purpose. The Atlas Lions have had a boost since Hervé Renard came in a year ago. He’s got them working as a team and they’re now a solid defensive unit, only conceding one goal in qualifying – built on the experience and talent of players like Mehdi Benatia of Juventus and Romain Saïss of Wolves. It’s not all roses though. Morocco did finish top of their group, ahead of the likes of Ivory Coast but they drew as many games as they won, so there is an obvious issue when it comes to breaking down teams.
The Moroccans have great potential in the forward lines
However, when Morocco met European opposition more recently in their pre-tournament preparations they beat both Estonia and Slovakia convincingly. Renard has started to develop Morocco’s attacking mentality and why wouldn’t he? The Moroccans have great potential in their forward lines.
From the back there is Achraf “Arra” Hakimi who has been steadily developing under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid. He can play on either flank at the back and is solid, yet progressive going forward. Then there is Ajax’s main playmaker 26 year old Hakim Ziyech who is the architect of both his club and national team when it comes to directing play forward.
Morocco’s main weakness is their goalkeeper who will struggle against better opposition in this year’s tournament. They know they’ll need to develop their forward play to stand a chance but they will let in goals in the process.
Form Guide
W-W-D-W-W
Iran
Despite having kept a clean sheet in all but one of their qualifying games and topping their group, Iran, like their opposition, struggle to break teams down and drew four of their ten games 0-0. Led by ex-Portugal manager and understudy to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Carlos Queiroz has directed Iran to two consecutive World Cup Finals for the first time in their history.
Coupled with fiercer opposition Iran could crack
Iran are much stronger in the attack than they were four years ago. Rubin Kazan man Sardar Azmoun has hit 23 in the last 32 for his country and has impressed.
Queiroz and his men have bigger fish to fry than hoping their attack can light up the world cup. Their defensive unit could struggle after their key defensive midfielder who runs the show, Saeed Ezatolahi has been ruled out for the opening match. On top of that, for whatever reason the manager has left out a key defender in Jalal Hosseini. Coupled with fiercer opposition Iran could crack.
On top of these setbacks, Iran’s preparations were severely disrupted after a friendly with Greece was cancelled at the last minute. Iran have only had 90 minutes against Lithuania before this year’s tournament.
Form Guide
L-W-W-L-W
Betting Tip
Both teams are used to playing a solid defensive game in qualifying. Both teams topped their group with relative ease. Both teams conceded only one goal between them in qualifying. However, with the onset of the World Cup their match up represents a step up in opposition. Both are beset by problems going into the tournament in the defensive department.
Morocco have a poor keeper who will surely bleed goals. Iran are missing their key defensive midfielder who holds their team together, and for whatever reason their coach has opted to leave out a key defender. On top of this Morocco have considerably more attacking options, and more talented forward thinking players who will be looking to shine. Morocco know this and know they have to take three points if they are to stand a chance against Portugal and Spain.
The battle will be won and lost in central midfield and the defence. It won’t be a high scoring game but both teams are likely to make mistakes. Morocco have more attacking quality and have had better preparations. They’ll just edge it.
Ladbrokes are offering odds of 15/4 (4.75) on Morocco winning this and over 2.5 goals being scored in the game.
Bet Morocco vs. Iran more than 2.5 goals. Morocco to win on Ladbrokes
Post bet chat Adam's Tips:
Both teams went forward as expected but failed to make a difference in the final third. Morocco were the much better team but couldn't quite find the right way of going forward and Iran took their chance while they had it.