The second round of games in the 2022 World Cup includes some crucial ties and these Belgium vs. Morocco predictions could be vital in Group F. Robert Martinez’s side are under pressure to reach the last 16 ahead of facing rank outsiders Morocco.
Belgium vs. Morocco odds
1 – Belgium to win – 16/25
2 – Belgium over 1.5 total goals – 4/5
3 – Total goals scored over 2.5 – 19/20
4 – Both teams to score – 19/20
5 – Belgium to win 2-1 – 17/2
Belgium are heavily fancied to go deep into the knockout stages of Qatar 2022 as Roberto Martinez aims to end their tag of nearly men on the World Cup stage
Despite boasting squads packed with talent, Belgium have never made it beyond the semi final stage, with 2022 potentially the final chance for their ‘Golden Generation’ to make an impact.
They do go into this game as favourites, but their pre-World Cup form has been mixed, with three UEFA Nations League wins from six games, and a warm up friendly loss against Egypt.
However, Morocco’s own form has not been fantastic in 2022, with five wins from eight outings since the start of the summer.
Belgium’s all-star attack does bring with it a strong guarantee of goals, with Martinez’s charges only failing to score in one of their nine games since the start of 2022.
Five of those eight games have included Belgium scoring over 1.5 goals inside 90 minutes of action, and six of them have involved over 2.5 total goals scored.
Their inconsistency has also meant issues in keeping goals out though, with just two clean sheets in 2022 and an average of one goal conceded per game in the calendar year.
Belgium’s inability to stop goals will give Morocco confidence of at least scoring in this one, with Walid Regragui’s side finding the net in four of their last five games before travelling to Qatar.
Victory for Belgium will keep Martinez on course for a push towards the knockout stages but the Catalan boss knows the pressure will only increase as the World Cup intensifies.
How to stream Belgium vs. Morocco
You can watch Belgium vs. Morocco live on Sunday afternoon on BBC and iPlayer in the UK, as well as online around the world.
Belgium vs. Morocco last five matches
Belgium last five matches
Egypt 2-1 Belgium
Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
Belgium 2-1 Wales
Poland 0-1 Belgium
Wales 1-1 Belgium
Morocco last five matches
Morocco 3-0 Georgia
Morocco 0-0 Paraguay
Morocco 2-0 Chile
Liberia 0-2 Morocco
Morocco 2-1 South Africa
Belgium top World Cup qualification goalscorers
Romelu Lukaku – 5
Hans Vanaken – 3
Christian Benteke – 2
Kevin De Bruyne – 2
Thorgan Hazard – 2
Morocco top World Cup qualification goalscorers
Ayoub El Kaabi – 5
Ryan Mmaee – 3
Azzedine Ounahi – 2
Tarik Tissoudali – 2
Selim Amallah – 2
Belgium vs. Morocco line-ups
Belgium (3-4-3) Courtois; Denayer, Vertonghen, Alderweireld; Vanaken, Witsel, Tielemans, Castagne; De Bruyne, Batshuayi, Hazard
Morocco (4-1-4-1): Bounou; Allah, Saiss, Ayerd, Hakimi; Ounahi; Sabiri, Ziyech, Amallah Jabrane; En-Nesyri
Belgium team news
Martinez is without key striker Romelu Lukaku for the opening two games of the 2022 World Cup with the Inter loanee suffering with a thigh injury. Michy Batshuayi is expected to replace him in an attacking trio alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.
Morocco team news
Morocco have the majority of their key names available for World Cup duty with Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi the stand out name at the back. Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech will provide spark in midfield and Youssef En-Nesyri is the goal threat in attack.
They play canada. Not morocco
Morocco’s 2 and Belgium 1