Canada vs Morocco Predictions

• Canada are yet to draw a blank at the World Cup
• Morocco have also scored in all their games
• Morocco played extra time and penalties in the last 32

Morocco a step up for co-hosts Canada

Canada have enjoyed an excellent World Cup as co-hosts but they face a big step up in class on Saturday as they take on Morocco in the first last 16 tie.

The North Africans reached the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago and currently sit at No. 7 in the FIFA rankings, after controversially claiming the AFCON title earlier this year. Canada are currently ranked at 30 but their World Cup performance should ensure they move a little higher when they are updated even if Saturday proves to be their final game.

These sides met in the group stages of the World Cup four years ago and Morocco ran out 2-1 winners. That clash came in the final batch of group games and Canada had already been eliminated, while Morocco were looking to claim top spot, so the circumstances are very different this time around.

Morocco overcame the Netherlands in the last 32 on Monday after a penalty shootout and held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in the group stages. They are deserved favourites ahead of this game, but Canada shouldn’t be overlooked.

The Canucks will still benefit from a home advantage even if this game is being played in Houston as their supporters should outnumber their Moroccan counterparts significantly. They have also had the benefit of an extra day off as they beat South Africa in their first knockout game on Sunday – and they managed to get the job done in normal time.

Goals at both ends a strong play

The standout bet here looks to be backing both teams to score at just above evens as both of these teams have impressed in front of goal.

Neither side has drawn a blank after four games, with Canada scoring nine goals in total and Morocco hitting seven.

Goals at both ends has been a feature of Morocco’s post-AFCON games, with both teams scoring in six of their last nine fixtures since their awarded win over Senegal.

Canada have been keeping clean sheets but those shut-outs have come against lesser opposition and they have conceded in three of their last five games.

Morocco may be dragged into extra time again

Canada produced some solid displays in the group stages and then toiled for much of the game against South Africa. They dominated the Bafana Bafana for large periods without looking too threatening but the introduction of Alphonso Davies in the latter stages of that game proved a turning point and they are a far better side with the Bayern Munich star on the pitch.

Davies should be able to start for the first time since recovering from injury on Saturday and that extra bit of quality gives Canada a real chance to claim an upset.

However, Morocco are on an outrageous 33-game unbeaten run stretching back to August of last year and this tie could require additional period. An entertaining 2-2 draw has a chance taking into account that both of these sides are averaging close to two goals per-game in the tournament, and both have some quality attacking players with Davies joined by Jonthan David in the Canada frontline and Ismael Saibari and Brahim Díaz among Morocco’s options.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi missed his spot kick against the Netherlands and he will be eager to make amends. The PSG full-back has one goal at the World Cup and has been getting plenty of chances – with 13 shots across four games – and he stands out as a value pick for an anytime effort at 5/1.