France vs Morocco Betting Preview & Tips - World Cup 2022

It’s crunch time at the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday evening, as the reigning champions, France, come up against Morocco in Al Khor. At Al Bayt Stadium, with a place in the World Cup final, the margin for error will be minimal.

This is a historic game for several reasons. For starters, the Moroccans have made history by reaching the final four. This team will be the first African team to feature in a World Cup semi-final, which really is something. They would therefore be the first ever African team to play in a World Cup final, which would be an incredible sizzle achievement, one that would never be forgotten.

For the French, this is huge too, and not just because a place in the final is at stake. Didier Deschamps’ men are bidding to become the first team to feature in back-to-back World Cup finals since 2002. They would become only the fourth nation to do so.

Odds:

• France 1.50
• Morocco 8.00
• Draw 3.75
• Bookmaker: Bodog

What have the first five games taught us?

The French came into this tournament heavily fancied in the betting, and it’s not difficult to see why. After all, they are the world champions following their success in Russia back in 2018.

Have we seen anything different from Deschamps men in Qatar? Not really, but does that mean they’re easy to face? Absolutely not. Everybody knows that their biggest threat is the dynamic and explosive Kylian Mbappe, but it’s one thing knowing about that threat, and another thing altogether stopping it.

Les Bleus have played forward-thinking football. They’ve tried to get Mbappe, who is currently the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, on the ball as much as possible. Even when they haven’t, opposition defences have been so focussed on keeping the French star quiet that spaces have often opened up for France’s other threatening players, of which there are plenty. Antoine Griezmann controlled the game against the English, showing that he is every bit as important as Mbappe, while Olivier Giroud once again proved he’s worth his weight in gold with yet another timely finish.

While the French have done what was expected of them, the Moroccans have both surprised and exceeded expectations. Their own fans will have known about their qualities prior to this tournament, but the wider footballing audience has learnt plenty about the Atlas Lions.

What we’ve seen from this Moroccan team is that they’re incredibly disciplined and very focused on getting the job done. Tactically, they’ve been smart, while there’s been no shortage of technical ability on show, either. This isn’t just a well-drilled team, oh no. There’s lots of talent, too, with all of the starting XI, plus several fringe players, plying their trade in European club football. The quality is there, make no mistake about that.

What’s also been great about the Moroccans is their ability to mix it up. They’ve sat deep and frustrated teams when they’ve had to. They’ve passed the ball well, using intricate combinations, using the skill and trickery of players like Hakim Ziyech, Soufiane Boufal and Selim Amallah, who could very easily be on the move from St. Liege in Belgium after his efforts in Qatar.

We’ve also seen that Walid Regragui’s men can go direct up to Youssef En Nesyri, who is a real threat in the opposition box, and who scored for the second time in this tournament when notching the winner against Portugal last time out.

The marauding runs of all-action full-back Achraf Hakimi have continually hurt opposition teams too. It’s fair to say that this Moroccan team is full of versatility, and so far, they’ve had the answer to any question that they’ve been asked.

How to bet on this game?

Predictably, the French are heavy favourites here, and rightly so. They’re the world champions, plus they’re coming off the back of a huge win against a very good England team. However, whether they deserve to be so far ahead in terms of betting odds is another matter.

The Moroccans have shown how difficult they can be to face, and they won’t lie down, absolutely not, so those who do fancy the North Africans to cause another upset should not be put off by big odds.

At the current prices, though, ‘Both Teams to Score’ looks like the best option. Sure, the Atlas Lions have gotten this far thanks to some sturdy defending, but have they really got the strength to stop a French team that often scores for fun? Can they really halt Mbappe, Giroud and Griezmann?

For all they did keep a clean sheet against the Portuguese, they did surrender some sizable chances and were somewhat fortunate that the ball stayed out of their net. It would be a huge surprise if they recorded another clean sheet, as good as they are defensively.

That shouldn’t worry them too much, though, because they have more than enough quality to hurt the French back-line, which, let’s be honest, hasn’t looked all that strong. Deschamps’ men have conceded in five out of five at the 2022 World Cup, conceding against the likes of Australia and Tunisia in the groups, so there’s definite offensive hope for the Moroccans, who should relish the chance to play on the break against a forward-thinking Les Bleus.

Moreover, both teams have scored in four out of France’s five games in Qatar, so don’t be surprised if both teams register here.

Additionally, at generous-looking odds from online betting sites, Moroccan forward Youssef En Nesyri looks a good bet to notch his third of the tournament. We saw how effective the Sevilla striker could be against Portugal, and he’s likely to enjoy the way in which his team will be able to pounce on the break here.

The 25-year-old has two goals in three games, and at sizable odds of 6.50, against a French back-line that has given plenty away, often cheaply, he’s fancied to add to his tally.

Betting Tips:

• Score Prediction 1-1 Draw
• Both Teams to Score @ 2.30
• Youssef En Nesyri to Score @ 6.50

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