Croatia vs Morocco predictions, odds, World Cup 17/12/2022

Croatia vs Morocco prediction, betting lines, and top picks

It’s sad to see these two fantastic teams not be in the final at Lusail but someone has to partake in the game for 3^rd place. Croatia and Morocco will supply us with another amazing round of World Cup soccer. Sadly, it will be the last match they play in the World Cup.

Our Croatia vs Morocco prediction is based on the defensive approach that the two managers rely on this season. Croatia advanced twice in the knockout stage via penalty shootouts. The matches vs Japan and Brazil were very tight and we didn’t get to see many goal-scoring opportunities in front of the two goalkeepers.

Morocco are the best defensive team in this World Cup. Before the semi-final clash against France, Morocco had one goal conceded. And it was a misfortunate Nayef Aguerd own goal. Yes, the French attacking might was uncontainable and Morocco cracked but Croatia are certainly no France. We expect a solid effort by the two teams and you’ll read more about it in the Croatia vs Morocco prediction below.

Players to watch in the Croatia vs Morocco clash

Croatia

Luka Modric: Without a doubt, the best midfielder in this World Cup. Sure, Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul is also performing at a high level but he has Lionel Messi by his side. Luka Modric is a one-man team that’s been killing it at the center of the park in this campaign. The 37-year-old playmaker-in-chief was ever-present for Croatia in the World Cup and it’s very likely that the match on Saturday will be his last World Cup event. Our Croatia vs Morocco prediction here is that he’ll be in the starting XI so that he can have a proper farewell.

Morocco

Achraf Hakimi: The Croatia vs Morocco odds are as balanced as they are because of one man in particular. Achraf Hakimi. The 24-year-old PSG right-back has been delightful this season for both club and country. He’s the main reason why Morocco got so far in the World Cup in the first place. His efforts during the semi-final versus France paid off as he nullified Kylian Mbappe. We expect him to be in the starting XI for the Croatia game on Saturday.

Croatia vs Morocco lineups

This is where you’ll find Walid Regragui’s and Zlatko Dalic’s starting XI. Come back 45 minutes before the kickoff if you don’t see the lineups right away.

Croatia

3-5-2

1

Dominik Livakovic

2

Josip Stanisic

24

Josip Sutalo

20

Josko Gvardiol

4

Ivan Perisic

7

Lovro Majer

10

Luka Modric

8

Mateo Kovacic

18

Mislav Orsic

9

Andrej Kramaric

14

Marko Livaja

Substitutes

5

Martin Erlic

22

Josip Juranovic

26

Kristijan Jakic

19

Borna Sosa

3

Borna Barisic

16

Bruno Petkovic

13

Nikola Vlasic

12

Ivo Grbic

25

Luka Sucic

15

Mario Pasalic

23

Ivica Ivusic

17

Ante Budimir

6

Dejan Lovren

21

Domagoj Vida

11

Marcelo Brozovic

Morocco

4-1-2-3

1

Bono

2

Achraf Hakimi

20

Achraf Dari

18

Jawad El Yamiq

25

Yahya Attiat-Allah

4

Sofyan Amrabat

11

Abdelhamid Sabiri

23

Bilal El Khannouss

7

Hakim Ziyech

19

Youssef En-Nesyri

17

Sofiane Boufal

Substitutes

22

Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti

6

Romain Saiss

12

Munir

21

Walid Cheddira

8

Azzedine Ounahi

16

Abdessamad Ezzalzouli

13

Ilias Chair

26

Yahya Jabrane

5

Nayef Aguerd

24

Badr Benoun

14

Zakaria Aboukhlal

15

Selim Amallah

9

Abderazak Hamdallah

10

Anass Zaroury

Essential Croatia vs Morocco prediction, picks, and odds

The Croatia vs Morocco odds below were supplied by two of our favorite bookies – DraftKings and FanDuel.

Croatia vs Morocco odds: Draw @ +240

These are two of the most equally strong teams you’ll find in the World Cup this year. Their paths to the semi-finals were similar as well. Croatia had to endure two penalty shootouts to get to a match versus Argentina while Morocco experienced the thrill of penalties against Spain as La Furia Roja were brushed aside.

Morocco won Group F in the World Cup in which Walid Regragui’s boys already faced Croatia. The match on the 23^rd of November ended in a goalless tie and we’re certain that there’s not much that separates these two teams right now. Our key Croatia vs Morocco pick for Saturday is a draw result.

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Croatia vs Morocco prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ -105

As we mentioned above, the group-stage game between these two teams ended in a goalless draw. We didn’t get to see many opportunities in front of the two goalkeepers as well. Both teams had two shots on target and you can’t expect to see many goals when you are this unproductive up front.

Croatia had a total of five shots while Morocco hammered away eight. It was a battle at the center of the park and we expect to see more of the same on Saturday. Walid Regragui has been often criticized in Morocco about how his teams perform – extremely defensive and uninteresting soccer. It’s unlikely that he’ll betray his style.

Croatia’s attack has been dreadful in this World Cup. The only game in which Zlato Dalic’s boys had more than two goals was versus Canada. And this was the first World Cup event for the Canucks.

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More World Cup matches and facts

This was our Croatia vs Morocco prediction for Saturday. Don’t miss out on our remaining World Cup predictions as there’s still a final to be played. Will Lionel Messi’s dream finally be fulfilled? Or will Kylian Mbappe poach the title underneath his PSG teammate? We have yet to find out the answer to these questions but are adamant that the game on Sunday will be one for the ages.