Portugal & Ronaldo goal-scoring tips vs. Morocco – World Cup betting

All eyes will be on Portugal’s immortal star, Cristiano Ronaldo, when he takes on Morocco this Wednesday, waiting to see if there is an encore to his stunning hat-trick in his nation’s opening game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Bovada has Portugal as a pretty big favorite in this group encounter posted at -160 with Morocco at +500 and a draw sitting at +280. The Over/Under for this match is at 2.5 goals.

In what was the most thrilling match of the opening group ones Portugal played to a 3-3 draw against Spain. Morocco lost to Iran in their opening match 1-0 and they are really behind the eight-ball still having to face Portugal and Spain.

This is only the 2nd match all-time between these teams and Morocco pulled off the shocker in the first one winning 3-1 in the 1986 World Cup.

In their opening World Cup match against Spain star Cristiano Ronaldo came through, big time, scoring a hat trick. The equalizing 3rd goal should have been stopped, but it found the back of the net to give Portugal a point. Portugal played to a draw even though they lost the time of possession battle (66% to 34%). However, in this match against Morocco they will likely win that battle with much more world class talent on the pitch.

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Morocco dominated the time of possession in their 1-0 loss to Iran in their opening match 68% to 32% and it looked like the match would end in a draw, but Iran scored the lone goal in extra time on a Moroccan own-goal off a set piece. Morocco did play a good defensive match for the most part and they will have to play great on that side of the pitch in order to pull off the big upset against Portugal.

Portugal did score three goals in their opener, but they also conceded three goals as well. Their defensive back line looked a little shaky and Pepe and Jose Fonte have to play a better match. However, will Morocco mount an attack? They will because of the counter. Many times the counter-attack is the main way inferior teams can score a goal and Morocco will have their chances. The reason is Portugal will be on the attack for the whole match, as with their 3-3 draw against Spain every goal is key. If Spain and Portugal tie they will go to goal differential to see the order of the group.

Ronaldo did not get much help up front from Goncalo Guedes in the draw against Spain and Besiktas’ star Ricardo Quaresma may get more minutes on the pitch nect to the superstar.

Nordin Amrabat and Hakim Ziyech have to mount the attack for Morocco in their 2nd group match and there is a lot of pressure on center back with Medhi Benatia and Romain Saiss trying to stop the Portuguese attack. Ayoub El Kaabi scored 11 goals in 11 World Cup qualifying matches and he has to play better than he did facing Iran getting more space around the box and pressuring the Portugal defense.

Morocco will play a different match than they did in losing to Iran, as in this one they will pack the defensive backfield and look to score on the counter.

Portugal vs. Morocco betting predictions

Morocco may frustrate Ronaldo and company for a while, but they will mount little of an attack and their defense cannot hold Portugal down the entire match.

Portugal will win 2-0 and that will end Morocco’s dream of advancing to the knockout stage.

Portugal & Morocco recent form

Portugal:

27/03/18 Spain 6 Argentina 1 (Friendly)
28/05/18 Argentina vs. Nicaragua (Cancelled)
30/05/18 Argentina 4 Haiti 0 (Friendly)
15/06/18 Portugal 3 Spain 3 (World Cup)

Morocco:

28/03/18 Iceland 1 Peru 3 (Friendly)
02/06/18 Iceland 2 Norway 3 (Friendly)
07/06/18 Iceland 2 Ghana 2 (Friendly)
15/06/18 Morocco 0 Iran 1 (World Cup)

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