Morocco vs Iran Odds

Morocco vs Iran World Cup Odds

Morocco get their 2018 World Cup campaign off the ground at 18:00 local time on Friday 15th June at the Saint-Petersburg Stadium. This is the first time these two teams have met and both will be hoping to secure at least a point.

Morocco vs Iran Prediction

Neither Morocco or Iran are expected to progress from the group as they have to contend with Portugal and Spain who should finish first and second in Group B. This means neither side has anything to lose so we could see an open and attacking game. 

Bovada price Morocco as narrow +125 favorites with Iran at +250 ad the draw coming in at +210. Both sides are quite evenly matched and that makes the draw look like an enticing bet. We particularly like the look of the Draw No Bet market, taking the side of Morocco at -175 as they should just edge this encounter.

Morocco vs Iran Key Bites

• This match could be a battle of the defenses as both are solid
• Morocco did not concede a single goal in qualifying, keeping six straight clean sheets
• Iran went nine games without conceding on their way to Russia
• Key midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi is suspended for Iran for this opening fixture
• Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi have scored a combined 34 goals in 51 appearances

Iran have only one once at the World Cup finals and that was back in 1998 when they beat United States 2-1. Three draws and eight losses make up Iran’s other 12 games, during which time they have only scored seven goals and conceded 22.

Morocco have a similar record to iran at the World Cup finals with 13 games played, two wins, four draws and seven defeats. The Africans have fared better in front of goal, scoring 12 times and conceding 18.

Both teams have a striker who is capable of scoring goals on the biggest stage, but we do not envisage a lot of goals in this fixture because both teams will want to get a point on the board as they face the mighty Portugal and Spain in their next games.

We will likely opt for a Morocco victory in the Draw No Bet market at -175. The over 1.5 goals at -180 also looks a good bet because of those aforementioned strikers who are deadly in front of goal.

Morocco vs Iran Betting Trends

Morocco vs Iran World Cup Preview

Both Morocco and Iran have rock solid defenses so do not expect this to be somewhat of a goalfest after the referee blows his whistle.

Morocco kept six clean sheets during their qualifying campaign thanks in part to coach Herve Renard preferring to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation that gives ample protection to the team’s defense. A key player in this system is Karim El Ahmadi who plays as a defensive midfielder. The 33-year-old help guide Feyenoord to the Dutch title last year and was named the best player in the league. While El Ahmadi does not get forward often, his presence in front of the back four adds stability and allows Mbark Boussoufa license to roam into the opposition’s half.

The Moroccans do not score a whole lot of goals, but they do have some talented attacking players. Nordin Amrabat of Premier League side Watford will likely start down the right flank with the tricky Hakim Ziyech playing down the left. Ziyech plays his club football for Ajax and has often been called the best player in the Eredivisie but is inconsistent and can be frustrating to play with.

Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz is heading to his fourth World Cup finals, his second with Iran, and has already stated that he is unlikely to change his philosophy regardless of who Iran are facing.

Queiroz’s Iran usually starts in a 4-3-3 formation that switches to 4-1-4-1 during the game. The team also plays a high pressing game that starts with the forwards and sees the midfield do all it can to prevent the opposition from entering its territory.

Iran tend to attack in few numbers. Instead of an all-out attack, Iran likes to soak up pressure from its opposition and the hit them on the counter-attack with its fast and tricky forwards. One such player is Ehsan Hajsafi who is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet.

The Iranians main goal threat comes from Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi. Azmoun has 23 goals in 31 appearances for Iran who is major aerial threat and will feel at home at the World Cup because he has been playing in Russia for five years.

Taremi is a massive talent who can sometimes seem unstoppable. He scores some beautiful goals yet can miss the easier of chances gifted to him. Morocco will have to have a watchful eye on this pair of players.

If you are looking to bet on this fixture then we would look no further than the under 1.5 goals market at +130. Taking Morocco in the Draw No Bet market at -210 with Bovada may also yield some value. Those of you wanting to opt for a straight result should probably back the draw, which is available at around +200 at the moment.

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : FIFA World Cup , Soccer