Canada may be out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but its star player made history by scoring the nation’s first-ever goal at the prestigious tournament.
Coming into Canada vs Morocco, the African side knows that a tie is enough to progress, and the North Americans might seek a last hurrah to go out on a high.
So, how are the odds swaying for this 10 am ET (7 am PT) game on December 1?
Canada vs Morocco World Cup Odds:
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Morocco to Win +100
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Canada to Win +260
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Both Teams to Score (No) -105
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Morocco +1 (Spread) +285
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Hakim Ziyech to Score Anytime +275
Read on in this Canada vs Morocco preview to see why the odds are favouring Morocco.
Morocco Got the Best of the Two European Titans
While not as splashy as the wins of Japan and Saudi Arabia, Morocco has quietly put together a superb World Cup campaign so far, getting the better of Belgium 2-0 and shutting out Croatia 0-0.
Well-drilled by Walid Regragui, Morocco holds its shape very well, isn’t overzealous, plays patient football, and trusts its crafty forwards and right-sided stars to be clinical when chances arise.
For Canada, jumping out of the traps against Croatia paid dividends, especially because Alphonso Davies was given a more attack-focused role in left midfield, with Richie Laryea sitting behind to cover defensively.
For much of the first half, not only did Canada look better, but they looked dominant, creating several chances that couldn’t quite sink. Still, after the Croatia goal at 36 minutes, heads dropped, falling further in the 44th.
It will prove to be a great learning experience for this Canada team, but even John Herdman’s rousing words might not be enough to raise them up for this match with nothing on the line for Les Rouges.
While not heavily favoured, Morocco gets odds of +100 to win; as they don’t need to win, the +238 tie is on the cards, as is the tie and no for both teams to score at +800 in the World Cup odds.
OUR FIRST EVER @FIFAWorldCup GOAL! 🔥
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 27, 2022
IT HAD TO BE HIM!#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/ykjzz9ykGr
Canada vs Morocco Key Battle on the Left Flank
A tie is enough for Morocco to progress, so they could stick with their very standoffish approach and just be patient. Or, they could aim for the top of the group if Croatia starts to lose.
As Morocco has been happy to cede the vast majority of possession against the European sides, it’d be interesting to see if they get more of the ball against Canada, which may swing the live betting odds.
Although Tajon Buchanan has shown his skill on numerous occasions, and the bursts of speed from Cyle Larin have been threatening, Alphonso Davies has been the outright star of the show for Canada.
Jonathan David has found himself frustrated throughout the tournament, often locked down by stalwart defenders intent on not allowing him good positions or opportunities.
Down the left side – assuming that Herdman deploys him there – Davies will have quite the task to get beyond one of the best right-backs in the world, Achraf Hakimi, while also trying to help stop Morocco’s star forward.
Hakim Ziyech was a spark against Croatia but beamed to life against Belgium, with Hakimi supporting to make the right side of Morocco particularly menacing in open play and on set pieces.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that Ziyech is at +275 to score anytime.
Davies and Hakimi met a couple of times much earlier in their respective careers, in the 2019/20 Bundesliga season.
With the two starting, Bayern Munich won both league games, while Borussia Dortmund won the DFL-Supercup match when both started on the bench. In all three games, the winners won to nil.
Both have become masters of the craft in the years since, establishing themselves for true European giants, but in this game, the system and support that Hakimi has looks to give him and Morocco the edge.
حكيم زياش رجل المقابلة ما بين المنتخب الوطني و المنتخب البلجيكي
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) November 27, 2022
Ladies & Gentlemen our Wizard Hakim Ziyech 🧙♂️ is the man of the match between Morocco and Belgium 👏#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #TeamMorocco #FIFAWorldCup @pumafootball pic.twitter.com/CWIZMD7yDl
If Herdman’s side goes all-out again, pressing high up the pitch, Morocco’s attacking talents could pick off the exposed backline on crisp counter-attacks, but they don’t necessarily need to do so.
A tie and both teams to score is at +333 for a reason: Morocco has been rock solid at the back. Frustrating opponents and being clinical is the game of the Atlas Lions, leading to +285 for Morocco -1 on the spread.
Canada vs Morocco may not get Les Rouges through, and it may not even matter to Morocco if Croatia beats Belgium, but hopefully, Canada wants to go down swinging to get the nation’s first World Cup points.
The odds, however, favour Morocco.
*Credit for all images in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 25th November 2022
