Morocco will have top spot in Group C in their sights as they take on Haiti at the Atlanta Stadium in their final group clash.
Morocco began Group C by playing out a 1-1 draw with record champions Brazil in an impressive performance, particularly in the first half.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s men then followed up that draw with a 1-0 victory over Scotland thanks to an Ismail Saibari strike after just 70 seconds – on an evening in which all three of my selections landed.
In order to seal top spot, The Atlas Lions will need to better Brazil’s result against Scotland, or overturn a two-goal swing.
On their return to the World Cup finals for the first time in 52 years, Haiti were perhaps unfortunate not to nick a point against Scotland, as they lost 1-0 to Steve Clarke’s side.
However, Sebastien Migne’s were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Brazil – with all three goals coming in the first half – meaning their elimination has already been confirmed.
How the bookies view it: Morocco clear favourites
As expected, Morocco are clear favourites to follow up their victory over Scotland, with bet365 pricing them at just 1/6 to claim all three points.
Haiti are massive 14/1 underdogs to claim their first-ever victory at the World Cup finals, whilst the draw is also unfancied at 13/2.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Wednesday’s clash in Atlanta will be the first-ever meeting between these two nations.
Players to watch: Saibari to strike again?
As alluded to above, Ismael Saibari did the business for me in Morocco’s victory over Scotland, as his early strike proved to be the winning goal.
The Bayern Munich-bound attacker also scored against Brazil in their group opener, and he is an appealing 6/5 at bet365 to make it three goals in three games in Group C.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Neither team appeared to pick up any fresh injuries or suspensions from their previous group match.
Morocco: Bono, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, El Anyaoui, Bouaddi, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannous, Saibari
Haiti: Placide, Arcus, Duverne, Ade, Delcroix, Experience, Casimir, Jean Jacques, Bellegarde, Providence, Isidor
Anything else catch the eye?
With Brazil short-priced favourites to win against Scotland, Morocco will know they’ll likely need to overturn a two-goal swing if they are to top Group C.
Therefore, I’m happy to back Morocco -2.0 on the Asian Handicap, with a 3+ goal margin of victory seeing this selection land, whilst if they were to win by two goals, we will receive our stake back.
What’s more, Haiti lost by three goals to Brazil last time out, and a similar kind of scoreline could be on the cards in Atlanta on Wednesday night.
GambleAware