Morocco vs Portugal, FIFA World Cup 2022: Match details, Where To Watch, Team News, Probable Playing XI and Match Predictions
Date: December 9, 2022
Venue: Al Thumama Stadium
Morocco vs Portugal, FIFA World Cup 2022: Where to watch?
In Uk, it’s Sky Sports Network and BT Sports. In the USA, it can be streamed on the DAZN App or FOX Sports. In India, the game can be watched on the Sports18 channel and Jio Cinema.
Morocco vs Portugal, FIFA World Cup 2022: Team News
Morocco:
After being demoted publicly on Tuesday, Portugal’s all-time top goalscorer (118) and most-capped player (195) Cristiano Ronaldo is currently sitting on the bench, while new Selecao sensation Goncalo Ramos is starting in the forward position.
Fernando Santos may go with the same backline that started Raphael Guerreiro at left back and Diogo Dalot on the right side of defence against Switzerland.
In the middle, Otavio, one of his less-heralded additions, should keep his spot, while William Carvalho will try to keep Ruben Neves at bay to keep his in Portugal’s engine room.
Meanwhile, Danilo is still questionable to play while Nuno Mendes has already been ruled out of the knockout rounds owing to injury. In his probable absence, Ruben Dias should pair with Pepe, who is now 39 years old, in the centre of the defence.
Morocco:
While Portugal’s starting lineup has been shuffled about at times, Morocco has played with a very consistent XI throughout the tournament.
However, Walid Regragui is worried about the fitness of a few key players, especially West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd.
After being carried off in tears during the win against Spain, the ever-present centre back faces a race against time as captain Romain Saiss finished the game by strapping to his leg. In addition, despite having a back injury, Sofyan Amrabat continued to play.
Both fullbacks have been injured in Qatar. The team that eliminated La Roja will appear quite similar to the one led by Sofiane Boufal, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Morocco vs Portugal, FIFA World Cup 2022: Probable Playing XI
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
Match Predictions:
In 1986, when these two teams met in the World Cup finals, Morocco came out on top 3-1, but that result might look quite different now, 36 years later.
Even the Atlas Lions’ intense defensive commitment probably cannot hold one of the tournament’s most explosive sides at bay for 120 minutes, and one of Portugal’s cast of budding stars – or maybe even a wily old head – will find a way to secure a berth in the semi-finals.
Expect, Morocco 0-2 Portugal
