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Mixed martial arts Croatia vs Morocco Bet Builder Tips: 4.00 Builder for 3rd-Place Play-Off
Croatia vs Morocco Bet Builder Tips: Saturday, December, 17th
I have studied the stats from the 2022 World Cup to bring you the latest Croatia vs Morocco bet builder tips. The Khalifa International Stadium in Doha hosts the Blazers vs the Atlas Lions this Saturday afternoon. The winners will take 3rd place in the most prestigious football tournament in the world.
In this article:
Croatia vs Morocco Preview
World Cup 3rd-Place Play-Off, Saturday, December 17th, 15:00 (UK)
It’s the game that nobody really wants to play. Both managers will have to assess which of their squad have suitably recovered from the heartbreak of a semi-final defeat. With a bronze medal up for grabs and the small matter of an estimated cool $2m prize money for the winner.
Like many before them, Croatia were undone by red-hot Golden Ball favourite Lionel Messi. An inspirational performance from the Argentine saw him become the first player in tournament history to score and assist in the same game for a fourth occasion. His 34th-minute penalty was the first of a quickfire first-half double. There was to be no repeat of the Croats’ stunning quarter-final comeback against Brazil. Messi sealed the deal with a mesmeric mazy run from which Josko Gvardiol is possibly still trying to untwist himself. Julian Alvarez having his second of the night laid on a plate for him.
Morocco put up an impressive performance against France but ultimately it was in vain. It couldn’t have been a worse start. Theo Hernandez became the first opponent to score against the Atlas Lions in their last 10 internationals with just five minutes on the clock.
Walid Regragui’s men probed away for much of the contest, roared on by their vociferous support. Only lacking a final touch to finish off their excellent approach play. The African nation’s spirited resistance finally ended just 11 minutes from time. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed the victory with his first touch. Tapping in at the far post seconds after entering the fray.
Croatia vs Morocco Stats & Facts
- 37-year-old Luka Modric has played in all six of Croatia’s games at this World Cup. Only goalkeepers Peter Shilton (1990) and Dino Zoff (1982) have played more games at a single edition while aged 37+ (both 7).
- Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi has completed 77% of his attempted take-ons at the 2022 World Cup (10/13), the highest rate of any player to attempt at least 10.
- Ivan Perisic has scored six World Cup goals for Croatia – one more would make him their outright top scorer in the competition, surpassing Davor Suker.
- Morocco will aim to become the eighth team to keep as many as five clean sheets in a single tournament, after Netherlands (1974), Italy (1990), Brazil (1994), France (1998), Germany (2002), Italy (2006) and Spain (2010).
Croatia vs Morocco Bet Builder
It’s back to where it all began for these two nations. They played out a goalless draw in the opening fixture of Group F. That game was an early kick off at the Al Bayt Stadium, a possible excuse for a lacklustre encounter.
The Moroccans were enthusiastic and effective in the press, successfully limiting the impact of the renowned Croatian midfield. With no side wanting to start their campaign with defeat the game drifted to its conclusion with both managers seemingly content to settle for a point. I expect things to be different this time around and I am taking Zlatko Dalic to guide his side to a win.
This is Croatia’s second 3rd-place play-off match in the World Cup, previously beating Netherlands 2-1 in the 1998 edition. This will also be their fourth meeting with an African nation and are yet to concede a goal. The aforementioned 0-0 with Morocco added to a 4-0 defeat of Cameroon in 2014 and the 2-0 victory against Nigeria in 2018. A European nation has won this match in each of the last 10 editions of the tournament, since Brazil’s 2-1 win over Italy in 1978.
Walid Regragui also has lots of injury issues to deal with. Three of his first-choice defenders will be major doubts here and I’m sure their respective club sides will not want any risks taken with them. Nayef Aguerd pulled out before the kick-off against France. While patched-up captain Romain Saiss only lasted 20 minutes before admitting defeat and trudging from the field of play. Noussair Mazraoui failed to reappear for the second half. Regragui insisted he had no regrets but admitted “Physically we had too many players who are at 60 or 70 per cent.”
Having become the first African nation, and the first Arab nation, to reach a World Cup semi-final, hero status is assured regardless of result here. It will be tough to execute their template gameplan which demands exemplary concentration and nothing but 100% commitment in a game which is in essence meaningless. A game which could come down to the strength of the supporting cast has to tip it in the favour of the Croats.
The Blazers’ price of 2.43 to win is higher than it was on MD1. That is a price which looks too big given the circumstances. I am selecting the outright win to lay the foundations of this builder. None of the 19 previous 3rd-place play-off matches at the World Cup have gone to penalties. With only one being settled in extra time some 36 years ago. Those more risk-averse among you can opt for shorter odds of 1.70 for Croatia to finish third or 1.36 for the Croatia or Draw Double Chance.
Mikaele Silvestre agrees that Zlatko Dalic’s side have the edge.
“For the 3rd-place, it’s a matter of who’s recovered better. mentally and physically, between Morocco and Croatia.,” Silvestre told bettingexpert in an exclusive interview.
“The bench, they need to freshen up the starting XI, so in this case, Croatia have an advantage as they’ve had one more day to recover. They’ve also got more depth in the squad to perform better.”
I think that will help Croatia fire in a goal or two and continue to see the ball hit the net multiple times in World Cup 3rd-place playoffs. This is a trend we have regularly seen over the recent 3rd-placed play-offs. Belgium’s 2-0 win over England in Russia broke a sequence of 10 World Cups where this game had seen at least three goals. Since 1974 that’s 10 of the 11 third-place matches featuring over 2.5 goals. More than half (55%) the games made the net bulge at least four times. A total of 40 goals have been scored in those ties at an average of 3.63 per game.
Croatia will no doubt be looking to give the best send-off to the 37-year-old Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric. While another thirty-something Ivan Perisic will be desperate to score the goal which will make him his country’s outright top scorer. A patched-up and mentally exhausted Morocco provide the perfect opportunity.
- Croatia to win
- Over 2.5 total goals
Bet Builder odds: 4.00
Stakes: 5/10 (TRACKED BET)
Odds via bet365 as at 09:30 December 16th 2022. Odds may now differ.
