Canada vs Morocco Prediction: Atlas Lions to hammer co-hosts

After scoring a last-minute equaliser, Morocco won a dramatic penalty shootout against the Netherlands to reach the last 16, where they will face Canada in Houston on Saturday (12pm local, 6pm BST).

The co-hosts have had to leave their homeland, but got a narrow win over South Africa to reach this stage. Read on for my Canada vs Morocco predictions, featuring team news and more.

Team News

Jesse Marsch could give a start to star man Alphonso Davies, after he changed the game as he came on against South Africa. He could start on the left, while Luc De Fougerolles may be handed a start in the middle of the defence. 

Tani Oluwaseyi and Jonathan David should start as the front two, with Cyle Larin another attacking option.

Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi may be tempted to make a couple of changes after an exhausting 120-minute tie with the Netherlands. Chadi Riad came off injured at 75 minutes and was replaced by Anass Salah-Eddine, with Noussair Mazraoui moving over to centre-back. 

However, Riad is back in full training and set to partner late goalscorer Issa Diop at the heart of the back line. 

Canada vs Morocco Odds

Canada are the underdogs for this knockout tie, 18/5 to get the job done in 90 minutes, while they are 7/4 to win the tie. Morocco are 5/6 to win in 90 and 2/5 to progress to the quarter-finals. 

Over 2.5 goals is 6/5, BTTS is 11/10 and Ismael Saibari is the 9/2 favourite to score first. Check out the other odds on the link above.

Morocco to win (90 mins) @ 5/6

I think this is absolutely smashing value for what looks to be a one-sided contest on paper. It seems like Canada have been priced up as though they are hosting this game - but they aren’t. Morocco are by far the more superior side here having drawn with Brazil and the Netherlands in 90 minutes already at this World Cup, and Canada are arguably the weakest side still left in the competition. 

I’m so confident that Morocco will progress into the quarter-finals, having reached the semi-finals four years ago. They have a better squad on paper, and should be able to ease past Canada, who have had a successful tournament just reaching this point. Near EVS for them to do it in 90 minutes is well worth considering.

Ismael Saibari to score two or more @ 9/1 

Ismael Saibari signed for Bayern Munich a day after the last-32 victory over the Dutch, and he has been great to watch at this World Cup. He’s got three goals to his name in four games so far, and scored the crucial penalty in the shootout.

I think Morocco can win this game by a fair few goals, and so the price of Saibari to bag a brace looks massive in my eyes.