Preview: Morocco vs. Portugal - Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Morocco vs Portugal Prediction might be found here. Marocco, the only African squad remaining in the World Cup tournament, will take on an in-form Portugal in their first-ever quarter-final. Let' Predict the starting line-up of Morocco vs Portugal.
Where: Al Thumama Stadium
When: December 10, 6 pm (15:00 GMT)
The 21-year-old Goncalo Romos has been shining as the new star with a hattrick in place of 37-year-old Christiano Ronaldo in Portugal's starting lineup, potentially leaving the number 7 on the bench in the next match.
On the other hand, Morocco sprung a stunning upset on Spain, maintaining a 0-0 draw and winning on penalties after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made two stops in the shootout and Pablo Sarabia had hit the post. Spain was devoid of ideas on how to defeat Morocco, who look the more likely side to have scores on different occasions.
The Atlas Lions will aim at becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals of a World Cup, but one of the tournament's most in-form squads in their way.
The ever-present center-back faces a race against time after he was taken off in tears during the victory over Spain, and captain Romain Saiss completed the match by strapping to his leg. Furthermore, Sofyan Amrabat played through the pain with a back issue.
Both full-backs have also experienced injury problems in Qatar, but if all are ready, a side spearheaded by attacking trio Sofiane Boufal, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En-Nesyri will look very alike to that which stopped La Roja.
Fernando Santos also missed Joao Cancelo against Switzerland, favoring Raphael Guerreiro as the left-back and Diogo Dalot on the right, and that choice may remain untouched.
Another of his less-heralded inclusions, Otavio, should persist in midfield, while William Carvalho hopes to hold off the challenge of Ruben Neves to keep his place in the Portuguese engine room.
Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes was earlier ruled out of the knockout stages because of injury and Danilo is still a doubt. In the latter's likely absence, Ruben Dias should partner 39-year-old Pepe at the heart of the back four.
Portugal wins: 1
Draws: 0
Morocco goals: 3
Portugal goals: 2
Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Carvalho, Otavio; Fernandes, Ramos, Felix
Morocco 1 - 2 Portugal
Where: Al Thumama Stadium
When: December 10, 6 pm (15:00 GMT)
Match Preview
Portugal brilliantly took down Switzerland last time out, and now they'll hope lighting can strike twice as they face Marocco in the next round.The 21-year-old Goncalo Romos has been shining as the new star with a hattrick in place of 37-year-old Christiano Ronaldo in Portugal's starting lineup, potentially leaving the number 7 on the bench in the next match.
On the other hand, Morocco sprung a stunning upset on Spain, maintaining a 0-0 draw and winning on penalties after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made two stops in the shootout and Pablo Sarabia had hit the post. Spain was devoid of ideas on how to defeat Morocco, who look the more likely side to have scores on different occasions.
The Atlas Lions will aim at becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals of a World Cup, but one of the tournament's most in-form squads in their way.
Team News
Morocco
Source: japantimes
The ever-present center-back faces a race against time after he was taken off in tears during the victory over Spain, and captain Romain Saiss completed the match by strapping to his leg. Furthermore, Sofyan Amrabat played through the pain with a back issue.
Both full-backs have also experienced injury problems in Qatar, but if all are ready, a side spearheaded by attacking trio Sofiane Boufal, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En-Nesyri will look very alike to that which stopped La Roja.
Source: reuters
Fernando Santos also missed Joao Cancelo against Switzerland, favoring Raphael Guerreiro as the left-back and Diogo Dalot on the right, and that choice may remain untouched.
Another of his less-heralded inclusions, Otavio, should persist in midfield, while William Carvalho hopes to hold off the challenge of Ruben Neves to keep his place in the Portuguese engine room.
Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes was earlier ruled out of the knockout stages because of injury and Danilo is still a doubt. In the latter's likely absence, Ruben Dias should partner 39-year-old Pepe at the heart of the back four.
Morocco Vs. Portugal Head-To-Head Record
Morocco wins: 1Portugal wins: 1
Draws: 0
Morocco goals: 3
Portugal goals: 2
Morocco World Cup form:
- D W W W
- D W D W W W
Portugal World Cup form:
- W W L W
- L W W W L W
Source: theanalyst
Morocco's Possible Starting Lineup:
Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Portugal's Possible Starting Lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Carvalho, Otavio; Fernandes, Ramos, Felix
Prediction:
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