Portugal v Morocco Bet Builder tips
Portugal to Win
Team to Receive the Most Cards: Portugal
Under 9.5 Corners
Ruben Dias to Attempt 90 or More Passes
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World Cup 2022 quarter-final: Portugal v Morocco
Saturday, November 10: 15:00
TV: ITV and RTÉ2
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Portugal to win
Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to life in their thrilling 6-1 win over Switzerland on Tuesday night. Fernando Santos’ side seemed to be liberated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence and suddenly appear to be one of the strongest contenders to win the competition.
They no longer looked uninspired and dull in their scintillating win over Switzerland and will take some beating. So will Morocco. The African nation fully deserve their place in the last eight having beaten European heavyweights Spain and Belgium in the competition so far.
They are just the fourth African nation to reach this stage of the World Cup and will have the eyes of a continent on them on Saturday afternoon. Morocco boast the best defensive record at the World Cup and have yet to concede to an opposition player, with Canada’s goal against them coming via an own goal.
They are incredibly difficult to break down as Spain found out on Tuesday and will ask Portugal far more questions than Switzerland did. However, Portugal will provide a far sterner examination than the one-dimensional death by a thousand passes approach of the Spanish. Their attack is a multi-headed beast and they should have just about enough to sneak through.
Team to receive the most cards: Portugal
Morocco are one of the best disciplined teams in the tournament, picking up just three yellow cards in their four games to date. Of the teams remaining in the competition, only England and Argentina boast a better disciplinary record, which is particularly impressive considering they have recorded the second-lowest possession averages at the World Cup and spend most of the time without the ball, making fouls more likely.
Portugal, on the other hand, picked up five yellow cards in their opening two games but have escaped any cards in their last two.
That is hardly surprising considering they did not take their final group game against South Korea seriously, while they were so dominant against Switzerland that it negated any need to make fouls worthy of a booking. Even still, Ruben Dias was incredibly fortunate not to receive a yellow card for pulling back Breel Embolo as he bore down on goal.
Portugal also possess a far more impetuous squad that is more likely of talking its way into the referee’s book and are an excellent price to pick up more cards.
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Under 9.5 corners
Morocco may boast an excellent record when it comes to conceding goals and receiving yellow cards, but they boast a lamentable record when it comes to corners. The African side have won just three corners in their four games at the World Cup to date at a rate of fewer than one per game.
They are unlikely to suddenly become more adventurous now that they are in a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time in their history and it would be unsurprising if they failed to win a corner for the third time in five games at the tournament.
Portugal, on the other hand, have recorded 19 corners in their four games to date at a rate of almost five per game, which is simply not enough to make up for Morocco’s shortcomings.
It would be very surprising if there were 10 corners or more during Saturday’s quarter-final.
Ruben Dias to attempt 90 or more passes
Portugal are going to dominate the ball against Morocco on Saturday, that much is clear. Morocco have recorded 35% possession or less in three of their four games to date, while they only managed 41% against a Canada side that finished as the second-worst team in the tournament.
Portugal, on the other hand, have recorded an average of 57% per game at the World Cup and are likely to considerably better that average here.
Ruben Dias has attempted 60 passes per game for Portugal at the World Cup but is also likely to see that average skyrocket.
Morocco recorded just 23% possession against Spain in the last-16 and will likely be just as cautious against Portugal, given the high stakes of the game.
Portugal v Morocco betting tips
Portugal to Win
Team to Receive the Most Cards: Portugal
Under 9.5 Corners
Ruben Dias to Attempt 90 or More Passes
*A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 22/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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