France vs Morocco – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is France vs Morocco on and what time does it start? France vs Morocco will take place on Thursday 8th August, 2023 – 12:00 (UK)
Where is France vs Morocco taking place? France vs Morocco will take place at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Australia.
Where can I get tickets for France vs Morocco? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for France vs Morocco
What channel is France vs Morocco on in the UK? France vs Morocco will be televised live on BBC One
Where can I stream France vs Morocco in the UK? France vs Morocco can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
FRANCE
- France are set to compete in the Round of 16 for a fourth consecutive Women’s World Cup despite being held by Jamaica in their opening group game, after victories against both Brazil and Panama proved enough for them to finish top of Group F.
- Captain Wendie Renard, Sakina Karchaoui and Sandie Toletti each didn’t feature in France’s victory over Panama and the expectation is that all three will return to the starting line-up for this one.
MOROCCO
- Consecutive wins by a goal to nil for Morocco over South Korea and Colombia respectively saw them cause a huge shock in Group H, advancing to the Round of 16 at the expense of Germany, who thrashed the Lionesses of Atlas 6-0 in the opening round of games.
- Their backline and goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi will need to be at their best once again to succeed here, but come into the match high of confidence following those successive clean sheets.
THE TEAM NEWS
FRANCE
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Peyraud Magnin; Perisset, Lakrar, Renard, Karchaoui; Becho, Geyoro, Toletti, Bacha; Le Sommer, Diani
UNAVAILABLE: Henry (Injured), Katoto (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MOROCCO
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Er-Rmichi; El Haj, El Chad, Benzina, Redouani; Ouzraoui, Nakkach, Chebbak, Tagnaout; Jraidi, Lahmari
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- France have won eight and drawn two of their last 11 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (W8 D2 L1).
- France have only failed to score in two of their last 21 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
- France have scored exactly ten goals in each of the last three FIFA Women’s World Cup final competitions, they are two goals away from reaching that tally at the 2023 finals.
- Against Panama, Kadidiatou Diani scored France's first-ever hat-trick in FIFA Women's World Cup history; the 27th overall in tournament history.
- Morocco have won each of their last two FIFA Women’s World Cup matches by a 1-0 scoreline.
- With their 1-0 win against Colombia, Morocco became the first African team to win two successive FIFA Women's World Cup matches and the first to keep successive clean sheets.
- Morocco are the first Arab nation to qualify for the knockout stage of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
- Morocco are the only one of the eight debutantes at Australia & New Zealand 2023 to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.
THE PREDICTION
France have responded well to that forgettable goalless draw against Jamaica, significantly improving their attacking play and the return of Renard should ensure a level of defensive control that was lacking last time out vs Panama. Whilst they may need to show a high level of patience with Morocco likely to prove very difficult to break down, the strength-in-depth within the French squad should see them maintain a high level of performance as this match develops and the Moroccan players start to tire. Back France to ultimately overwhelm a resilient Morocco and get the better of them in Adelaide.
TIP: FRANCE TO WIN
