We are into the business-end of FIFA World Cup 2022 with as many as 4 teams already having their berth in the quarter-finals.
Defending champions France along with the Netherlands, Argentina and England have already sealed their places in the last-8 of the tournament while Brazil and Croatia are expected to join them soon. But we focus our attention on the last couple matches from the Round of 16 where Morocco will take on Spain at Al Rayyan and Portugal is set to face Switzerland at Lusail on Tuesday evening.
Read EagleBet’s top FIFA World Cup 2022 betting predictions and tips below.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Betting Predictions – Sponsored by Sportaza
Morocco v Spain Betting Prediction
The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan is the venue for the clash between Morocco and Spain that will kick-off at 18:00 local time on the 6th of December. Morocco ended as the surprise-winners of Group F while Spain had to settle for 2nd position in Group E after losing its final match.
Morocco
Sportaza Betting Odds: 6.50
Last 5 Matches Performance: D W D W W
Morocco started the World Cup 2022 with a goalless-draw against 2018 runners-up Croatia. It then pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the World Cup by beating Belgium 2-0 which put it in the driver’s-seat in Group E. A few days later, Morocco completed a 2-1 victory over Canada in the last match to ensure it finished as the winners of its group.
Head-coach Walid Reglagui has been a major influence on his team even though the 47 year-old was appointed to the job just a few months back. Morocco has stayed unbeaten since he took over in August 2022, earning 4 wins and 2 draws in 6 matches. Defence is the strongest suit of this team and it has only conceded 1 goal during his short tenure.
Morocco is cast as the heavy underdog here but it seems to be a big underestimation of this team. Defensively, it is a well organised side with a superb work-ethic. And with Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri, there is plenty of quality in the attacking-third as well. However, a lack of experience on such big occasions is a major detriment.
Probable starting XI: Yassine Bounou (gk), Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saïss, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah, Hakim Ziyech, Sofiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri.
Spain
Sportaza Betting Odds: 1.60
Last 5 Matches Performance: L W W D L
Spain registered the biggest win of Qatar 2022 so far with a 7-0 drubbing of Costa Rica in its opening game of the World Cup that, incidentally, was its lone win of the group-stage. La Roja then had a 1-1 draw with Germany before it was upset 2-1 by Japan in the last game which meant it only squeezed through to the World Cup last-16 on goal-difference.
Spain arrived at the World Cup with 7 wins from its previous 10 matches and following its big win in the opening fixture, head-coach Luis Enrique drew immense praise for the style of play he had implemented into his team. However that was swiftly replaced by some strong criticism with many fearing that the team may have peaked too early.
Yet Spain is the clear favourite here due to the success it has enjoyed during the 20th century. The 2010 champions is the stronger side in every department and it is bursting with talent on the bench, too. The midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Gavi and Pedri will be the key pieces but their forwards will need to be clinical to get the victory.
Probable starting XI: Unai Simón (gk), Aymeric Laporte, Rodrigo, César Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gávi, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Top Betting Tips
Both Halves Under 1.5: Yes at 2.10 on Sportaza
While Spain may have been the joint-highest scorers during the group-stage of this World Cup, it has only managed to get 2 goals in its previous 2 matches. Morocco has the joint tightest defence at Qatar World Cup 2022 having conceded only 1 goal in its 3 matches.
Anytime Goal Scorer: Álvaro Morata at 2.54 on Sportaza
Álvaro Morata is presently the top-scorer for Spain at this World Cup with 3 goals in 3 appearances. Morata continued his scoring-streak when he was handed a starting-berth in the previous match after scoring off the bench in the opening 2 games.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Extra Betting Tips
Match Result & Total Goals: Spain & Under 2.5 at 3.20 on Sportaza
1st Scoring Type: Header at 5.00 on Sportaza
Match Prediction
Morocco 0-1 Spain at 5.40 on Sportaza
Portugal v Switzerland Betting Prediction
The final match in the Round of 16 will be played between Portugal and Switzerland at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on 6th December, 22:00 local time. Portugal finished at the top of Group H even though it lost its last match against South Korea. Switzerland took 2nd spot in Group G after finishing behind Brazil on just goal-difference.
Portugal
Sportaza Betting Odds: 1.95
Last 5 Matches Performance: L W W W L
Portugal was amongst the first few teams to seal its place in the last-16 of Qatar World Cup 2022. It began with a nervy 3-2 win against Ghana before following it up with a gritty 2-0 victory over Uruguay, the team that had knocked it out of the last World Cup. Portugal then lost the final game 2-1 to South Korea but still managed to end up with top-spot in its group.
Fernando Santos, the head-coach of Portugal since 2014, will have a fairly fresh squad after resting a number of key players in the previous match. The Euro 2016 champions are in superb form this year with 8 wins in 12 matches even though it has not displayed its full potential at this World Cup, which may well be a blessing in disguise.
Therefore Portugal will head into this clash as the favourites with the bookies. While it has the stronger squad on-paper, they still have to deliver a strong performance on the pitch against a tenacious opponent. And having vastly experienced heads such as Cristiano Ronaldo, William Carvalho and Pepe can be a big plus in these big knockout matches.
Probable starting XI: Diogo Costa (gk), Rúben Dias, Pepe, Joao Cancelo, Raphaël Guerreiro, Rüben Neves, Paolo Otávio, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Félix, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Switzerland
Sportaza Betting Odds: 4.50
Last 5 Matches Performance: W L W L W
Switzerland started off Qatar World Cup 2022 with a narrow 1-0 win over Cameroon in its first match of the tournament. It gave a good account of itself against Brazil despite losing 1-0 after conceding a late-goal. Needing a win to guarantee its place in the last-16, the Swiss produced a superb 2nd half comeback against Serbia to clinch the match 3-2.
Head-coach Murat Yakin, who took charge of Switzerland in August 2021, completed his first objective by taking his side to 2nd Round but his main target will be to get into the World Cup 2022 quarterfinals. Indeed, the Swiss have progressed out of the group-stage in 3 of its last 4 appearances but has not gone any further since it hosted the World Cup in 1954.
So Switzerland is the clear underdog in this clash according to the bookmakers. Still, a large chunk of its players are plying their trade in the top European leagues so there is more than enough quality in the squad to snatch the victory. In fact, Switzerland bagged a 1-0 home-win when the two sides met in the UEFA Nations League earlier this year.
Probable starting XI: Yann Sommer (gk), Manuel Akanji, Fabian Schär, Silvan Widmer, Ricardo Rodríguez, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Djibril Sow, Xherdan Shaqiri, Rubén Vargas, Breel Embolo.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Top Betting Tips
Highest Scoring Half: 2nd Half at 2.10 on Sportaza
Portugal has scored 6 goals in the 3 group-matches of this World Cup, of which 5 have arrived after the half-time interval. In much similar fashion, Switzerland has scored 4 times in the tournament and 3 of those goals were registered in the 2nd half.
Double Chance & Total: Draw/Switzerland & Over 1.5 at 2.10 on Sportaza
Placed in 9th spot of the FIFA Rankings, Portugal is the stronger side but it has not quite played to its potential so far in Qatar 2022. Switzerland is 15th position in the current FIFA rankings but it has looked a more cohesive unit during this World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Extra Betting Tips
Draw No Bet: Switzerland at 3.00 on Sportaza
Anytime Goal Scorer: Xherdan Shaqiri at 5.75 on Sportaza
Match Prediction
Portugal 1-2 Switzerland at 15.0 on Sportaza
Only The Best Betting Tips And Predictions From Eaglebet
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