Morocco vs Croatia – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Morocco vs Croatia on and what time does it start? Morocco vs Croatia will take place on Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 – 10:00 (UK)
Where is Morocco vs Croatia taking place? Morocco vs Croatia will take place at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Morocco vs Croatia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Morocco vs Croatia
What channel is Morocco vs Croatia on in the UK? Morocco vs Croatia will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Morocco vs Croatia in the UK? Morocco vs Croatia can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
MOROCCO
- Morocco are taking part in just their second World Cup since 1998, with the Atlas Lions failing to get out of the group stage in 2018.
- An injury to Amine Harit in his final club game before the World Cup has ruled him out of not only this match, but of the World Cup entirely, with winger Anass Zaroury named as his replacement.
CROATIA
- Runners-up back in 2018, beating the likes of Argentina, Denmark and England in the process, Croatia are aiming to go one better in the 2022 FIFA World Cup under Zlatko Dalic.
- As it stands, Croatia have no injury problems going into their first group game and are set to be captained once again by the ageless Luka Modric, such a vital cog of their midfield.
THE TEAM NEWS
MOROCCO
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Bounou; Mazraoui, Saiss, Aguerd, Hakimi; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
UNAVAILABLE: Harit (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
CROATIA
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic; Petkovic, Perisic
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Morocco have won just two of their previous 16 World Cup games (D5 L9). Both of their wins came against European opposition - a 3-1 victory against Portugal in 1986 and a 3-0 triumph against Scotland in 1998
- Morocco have not won their opening fixture at a World Cup in their previous five appearances (D2 L3)
- Morocco have failed to progress further than the group stage in four of their previous five appearances at the FIFA World Cup, the exception being their run to the round of 16 in 1986
- Morocco have lost only one of their last eight international matches (W5 D2)
- Morocco have not conceded a goal in their last four international matches
- Morocco have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 World Cup matches
- Croatia have won each of their last five international matches
- Croatia have lost only one of their last 16 international matches (W11 D4)
- Croatia have won their previous two World Cup matches against African nations (4-0 vs Cameroon 2014 and 2-0 vs Nigeria 2018, both group stage)
- Croatia have not failed to score in their last 11 FIFA World Cup matches. Since a 0-0 draw against Japan in the 2006 group stage, they have scored 22 goals in the 11 games at an average of two per game
- Only two of Croatia’s previous 15 World Cup group stage matches have finished level
- Croatia won all three matches in a World Cup group stage for the first time in 2018
- There are just eight players in the current Croatia squad that were part of the squad that reached the final four years ago at Russia 2018
- Luka Modrić has made the most World Cup appearances for Croatia with 12 games played. The 2018 Golden Ball winner is featuring at his fourth World Cup this time out which is also a record for his nation
- Zlatko Dalić is the first coach to lead Croatia at two World Cup final tournaments (2018 and 2022)
THE PREDICTION
One look at Morocco’s potential starting XI tells you that they are capable of getting out of the group stage in 2022 with a number of players operating at an extremely high level such as Paris Saint-Germain’s Hakimi and Sevilla duo Bounou and En-Nesyri. However, this Croatia team are a force at major international tournaments and have proven time and time again that they know what it takes to win on the big stage. Dalic’s side are expected to control the majority of play with their midfield three led by Modric pulling the strings, which should allow them to dominate possession. With that in mind, Croatia should create enough chances to get the better of Morocco, although the margin of victory may well be a narrow one.
TIP: CROATIA TO WIN
