France vs Morocco - World Cup semi-final: Team news, lineups & prediction
France face their former colony Morocco in a World Cup semi-final with an extra edge on Wednesday evening.
Didier Deschamps' side has defied whispers of disharmony, a glut of injuries and the curse of reigning champions to reach the final four, surviving an almighty scare from a spirited England in the quarter-finals.
Morocco - "the team that everyone loves in this World Cup" according to manager Walid Regragui - added Portugal to the list of European scalps they have claimed in Qatar with a marvellously marshalled 1-0 quarter-final triumph.
Here's everything you need to know about France's attempts the avoid the fate that befell Belgium and Spain during Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals.
Where are France vs Morocco playing?
- Location: Al Kohr, Qatar
- Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium
- Date: Wednesday 14 December
- Kick-off Time: 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT
France vs Morocco H2H Results (All Time)
- France: 3 Wins
- Morocco: 1 Win
- Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- France: WWLWW
- Morocco: DWWWW
France team news
Deschamps only made one substitution during France's narrow triumph against England at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday. It's unlikely the World Cup-winning manager and player will make any changes from his starting XI which has escaped injury and suspension.
France predicted lineup vs Morocco
France Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
Bench: Mandanda, Areola, Disasi, Pavard, Saliba, Konate, Guendouzi, Veretout, Camavinga, Y Fofana, Kolo Muani, Coman, Thuram.
Morocco team news
Morocco are walking wounded going into this historic semi-final. Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd both missed out on the quarter-final while Romain Saiss somehow managed to soldier through 50 minutes before he was stretchered off.
A combination of illness and a discomfort with his hip sidelined Mazraoui but the Bayern Munich fullback could recover by Wednesday night - although, Yahya Attiyat Allah shone as his replacement.
Aguerd is also gunning for a return from a groin problem. The West Ham centre-back reportedly wanted to feature against Portugal but wasn't deemed fit enough - a diagnosis which may change with another four days of rest under his belt.
Walid Cheddira will not feature after collecting a pair of yellow cards in stoppage time.
Morocco predicted lineup vs France
Morocco Starting 11 (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Benoun, Attiyat Allah; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
Bench: Munir, Tagnaouti, Dari, Jabrane, Chair, El Khannouss, Sabiri, Abde, Aboukhlal, Hamdallah, Mazraoui, Aguerd.
France vs Morocco betting tips
Match result
France to win – France have won each of their last six knockout stage matches at the World Cup, the longest run in their history.
France to win & both teams to score – Each of France’s last five World Cup victories have come despite them failing to keep a clean sheet.
Morocco to win to nil – Morocco have kept a clean sheet in four of their five matches at the 2022 World Cup – in fact, no opposition player has scored against them, with Nayef Aguerd scoring an own goal against Canada.
Team to progress
France to progress – France have progressed from 15 of their last 17 knockout stage matches at the
World Cup, last being eliminated in 2014 against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Morocco to progress on penalties – Morocco have won their only World Cup penalty shootout to date, eliminating Spain during this edition. France meanwhile have won two of their four shootouts at the World Cup.
Morocco to progress on penalties is currently 11/1*
Goals
Kylian Mbappe to score 2+ goals – Kylian Mbappe has scored 2+ goals in a game on three occasions at the World Cup, with two of those instances coming during the knockout stages (2018 vs Argentina, 2022 vs Poland).
Kylian Mbappe to score 2+ goals is currently 6/1*
Youssef En-Nesyri to score anytime – Youssef En-Nesyri has scored three World Cup goals for
Morocco, making him their all-time top scorer in the competition.
Kylian Mbappe to score and assist – There have been five instances of a France player both scoring
and assisting in a match in 2022, with three of them being Kylian Mbappé, and twice at this World Cup (vs Australia and Poland).
Insights courtesy of Opta. Head to The Analyst Stats Hub for live group stage standings, top scores, match metrics, team stats and much more!
*Odds correct at time of publication. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
France vs Morocco score prediction
"When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa and I think we are the Rocky of this World Cup," Regragui declared, capturing the swell of neutral support for Morocco after defeating Portugal. "I think now the world is with Morocco.”
That metaphor may prove to be a little too accurate when the Atlas Lions come up against football's Apollo Creed. Rocky famously wins the hearts of the crowd through his ability to absorb the world champion's slugs but he loses the fight on a split decision.
In what will undoubtedly be another enthralling display of tactical discipline, defensive rigidity and adventure on the counter, Morocco may have to settle for a near miss at the end of a run already worthy of a cinematic release.
Prediction: France 1-0 Morocco
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