It is the game that no team wants to be playing. These Croatia vs. Morocco predictions are for the World Cup Third Place Play-Off tie – where even a victory will be of little consolation for all involved.
Croatia vs. Morocco odds
1 – Croatia to win – 13/10
2 – Over 2.5 goals scored – 10/11
3 – Both teams to score – 4/6
4 – Croatia to score a penalty – 9/2
5 – Luka Modrić to score at anytime – 15/4
There will be a sense of close, but not close enough, for both sets of players on Saturday as Croatia and Morocco battle it out for third place at this year’s World Cup. In fact, ‘battle’ is probably too strong a word for a match that no one really wants to play in.
After doggedly getting past opponents on the way to the semi-final, Croatia just had no answer for Lionel Messi and finally succumbed. Although the players will just want to be going home now, we might expect another gritty performance to win one final game in Qatar.
Luka Modrić has been, as ever, at the heart of everything creative for Croatia – and it would be no surprise if it was the Real Madrid midfielder who scored the goal that gave his team the win.
Morocco will be disappointed that they were unable to go all the way to the final. But they can be secure in the knowledge that they have been one of the highlights of the tournament. One more game for a squad full of battered and bruised players does seem cruel now though.
Although Walid Regragui’s men gave it their all in front of a very supportive crowd on Wednesday, they were unable to stop France’s route to the final. With injuries and suspensions, Morocco kept on battling but a third place play-off is their only reward.
The fans will, no doubt, be in attendance once again at the weekend. But this may be too much for a team that has never achieved so much before. A tired and slow performance may be on the cards, with Croatia winning before they all pack their bags and head home.
How to stream Croatia vs. Morocco
Croatia vs. Morocco will be shown by national television broadcasters and will be available online around the world.
Croatia vs. Morocco last five matches
Croatia last five matches
Morocco last five matches
Croatia top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Morocco top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Croatia vs. Morocco line-ups
Croatia (4-3-3): Livaković; Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Perišić; Modrić, Jakić, Kovačić; Pašalić, Kramarić, Oršić
Morocco (5-4-1): Bono; Hakimi, Benoun, El Yamiq, Dari, Attiyat Allah; Ziyech, Ounahi, Amrabat, Boufal; En-Nesyri
Croatia team news
There is every possibility that Zlatko Dalić changes things around for what is essentially a meaningless game at the end of the World Cup. But there are some Croatian players that may not be coming back for future tournaments, so we could see some familiar faces. Ivan Perišic may start at the back in place of Borna Sosa, who picked up a knock in the semi – and Marcelo Brozović may also miss out because of injury.
Morocco team news
Walid Regragui needs to raise his players for one last game at what has been an incredible tournament for Morocco. There will be changes to the starting XI – and there will be plenty of substitutes throughout after a tiring competition. Captain Romain Saïss is likely to miss out because of injury but Walid Cheddira will be available again after suspension.