FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco Preview
Kaliningrad, Russia – Morocco provide final obstacle for Spain in their Group B encounter tonight at the Kaliningrad Stadium. It hasn’t been plain sailing for Spain in their group stage campaign but they should have enough in the tank to beat Morocco and progress to the knockout phase.
Current Form:
Fernando Hierro’s side are heavy favorites on paper, and although they were troubled by Iran last time out, they came through in the end to extend their remarkable unbeaten streak. In addition, Spain have now gone 22 games without tasting defeat since succumbing to Italy in the last 16 at UEFA EURO 2016.
Morocco on the other hand, have recorded back-to-back defeats at this world cup. Although Morocco’s chances of qualifying for the knockout stages are already over, they could make headlines by potentially having a significant role in who finishes top of Group B.
Previous Encounters:
Morocco and Spain will meet for the first time in 57 years. However, the last time these two nations met was on the 23 November 1961 in a FIFA World Cup Africa-Europe group final which was won on aggregate, 4-2, by Spain.
Team News:
Pepe Reina, Spain’s second-choice goalkeeper, may miss the game through injury. Additionally, Nacho Monreal, who missed several days of training with injury, should be fit to take up a place on the bench.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Morocco, who are likely to hand Nordin Amrabat another start despite suffering concussion in the first game with Iran.
Potential Lineups:
Spain (4-5-1): David de Gea; Jordi Alba, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Dani Carvajal; Busquets, Koke, Iniesta Isco, David Silva; Diego Costa
Morocco (4-5-1): Monir El Kajoui; Achraf Hakimi, Ghanem Saiss, Mehdi Benatia, Hamza Mendyl; Karim El Ahmadi, Hakim Ziyach, Mbark Boussoufa, Younes Belhanda, Noureddine Amrabat; Khalid Boutaib
Match Prediction:
Should Morocco lose this match, it will be only the second time that they have lost all of their World Cup group matches in a single campaign, having previously done so in 1994. In addition, with nothing to play for they are very much expected to just roll over and against a side like Spain, it could be as one-sided of a game you will see this World Cup.
Prediction: Spain 3-1 Morocco
