Spain could complete Last 16 favourites' dominance
Morocco and Spain will go head-to-head in the penultimate Last 16 match of the 2022 World Cup on Tuesday evening at the Education City Stadium in Ar Rayyan, Qatar. The European side are in this side of the bracket after Japan surprisingly topped the group after beating La Furia Roja. Victory for either side will see them face Portugal or Switzerland in the quarter finals, and given how the Atlas Lions themselves have played thus far this tournament, they will certainly make their more vaunted opponents work extremely hard for progression. Read our preview here:
Dragon Ball Ziy
Walid Regragui also sprung a huge surprise by leading their pool containing Belgium, Croatia, and Canada, going unbeaten, keeping two clean sheets, and claiming seven points in the process. There is plenty of history between the two nations, though they perhaps have never been on this even a keel in modern men's football. Hakim Ziyech, who has been reduced to a bit-part role with Chelsea, has flourished at the tournament with a greater responsibility placed onto his shoulders. Alongside the equally effective Sofiane Boufal and Youssef En-Nesyri, the attacking trio have shown plenty of efficacy and clever interplay in the final third. Given their opponents' dogmatic insistence on playing out from the back, expect the triumvirate to press high in fits and bursts to put pressure on them to hurry and make mistakes.
Rod the saviour
Luis Enrique is also set to have a full squad to choose from, though it remains to be seen whether he'll stay loyal to Unai Simón in goal after the Athletic Bilbao 'keeper made several mistakes in the final group game against Samurai Blue. Elsewhere, the centre back role Rodri has been deployed in for the national side in contrast to his pivot position for Manchester City has yielded great results, marrying his confidence on the ball with his physicality off it. He'll also be more than aware of what Ziyech can do when he cuts inside from the flank and runs at a backline. Striker Álvaro Morata could be rewarded with a starting berth after scoring in all three group games despite being a substitute in two of them. The rest of the XI pick themselves at this juncture, particularly the midfielders.
Betting tip
Spain proved they're not infallible no matter how much possession they enjoy against both Germany (and more fatally) Japan, whereas Morocco will have every right to be full of confidence after coming through their pool unbeaten and many of their players' reputations substantially enhanced. Parimatch have odds of 3.80 for a Spain win with both teams scoring in the 90 minutes.
