Belgium vs Morocco prediction: WORLD: World Cup betting tips on match 2022-11-26 13:00.
Against Canada, Belgium manager Roberto MartĂnez selected the oldest Belgian World Cup starting XI (average age: 30 years and 181 days) since June 1998 and he might have regretted that decision after they were run ragged early on. They weathered the storm and eventually prevailed 1-0 ,after seeing their opponents make 22 goal attempts, but emulating Brazil by claiming an eighth successive World Cup group stage win can’t mask what was an unconvincing start for the 2018 semi-finalists.
Fortunate to avoid the same fate as Argentina and Germany, the Red Devils escaped another big upset and top the early Group F standings as a result. While goalscorer Michy Batshuayi admitted afterwards that it was “not the best from Belgium”, he predicted they will get stronger as the tournament progresses, which they must as they prepare to meet sides with more World Cup experience, starting with Morocco.
Thanks to a large North African presence in the Middle East, Morocco have plenty of support in Qatar and they showed plenty of endeavour against Croatia before drawing 0-0. The majority of the crowd left disappointed, however, after watching the tournament’s third goalless draw – more than in both World Cup 2018 and Euro 2020 combined!
Chasing a first World Cup win since June 1998 (D2, L2), the Atlas Lions will want that support to give them another lift, and they did win the most recent H2H – a 4-1 triumph in Brussels in 2008. Following that hard-earned point against 2018 runners-up Croatia, they’re unbeaten in six matches (W4, D2), so come into this clash in decent form. Their forwards must be relishing taking on Belgium’s ageing backline.
Key battle: Thibaut Courtois made several key interventions including a penalty save against Canada, keeping his first clean sheet since mid-September. Belgium will need him to be alert to the threat of Youssef En-Nesyri, who has scored three times across Morocco’s last eight matches, twice between the 50th and 60th minute.
Hot streak: Belgium have not conceded prior to the 25th minute in any of their last 16 internationals (W8, D3, L5).
World Cup trivia: Morocco became the first African team to top a World Cup group when they did so in 1986.