MOROCCO will be aiming to make it two wins from two at the 2024 Olympics when they go up against Ukraine at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne on Saturday.
Tarik Sektioui’s side hit the ground running in Group B with a chaotic 2-1 win over Argentina on Wednesday, in a game that brought up a bet for our man Andy Delaney.
That curtain-raising success has put the Atlas Lions in a strong position to secure at least a top-two finish in the section.
In fact, if Morocco can make it back-to-back wins this weekend then they will have one foot in the next round ahead of their final group game with Iraq.
As for Ukraine, they threw away a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 to Iraq in their opening match of the competition on Wednesday evening.
Consequently, the Blue and Yellow have no margin for error in their matchday two clash with Morocco on Saturday afternoon.
How the bookies view it: Morocco to march on
Morocco are 4/5 favourites on Bet 365 to bank another three points in Group B on Saturday afternoon. Given that Tarik Sektioui’s side are among the favourites to win the tournament, coupled with the fact that they have already beaten Argentina, the Moroccans look worth backing for another victory.
Ukraine are big underdogs at 15/4 on Bet 365 in their bid for a maiden Olympics victory while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 9/4 with the same firm.
Head to head: History book sparse
This will be just the second time that the two nations have crossed paths on the international stage. The previous meeting was way back in 2018 – a friendly fixture that ended in a drab 0-0 draw.
Players to watch: Rahimi up and running
Soufiane Rahimi scored both of Morocco's goals in their 2-1 win over Argentina on Wednesday. The 28-year-old forward is as big as 13/5 (Bet 365) to make the net bulge again on Saturday afternoon.
Valentyn Rubchynskyi opened the scoring for Ukraine against Iraq in midweek. The Dynamo Kyiv midfielder is a towering 10/1 (Bet 365) to get on the scoresheet during this Saint-Étienne encounter.
Predicted line-ups
Ukraine boss Ruslan Rotan looks set to have a fully-fit squad available to him here, though he may decide to make some changes after watching his side fall at the first hurdle against Iraq.
Morocco manager Tarik Sektioui is expected to stick with the same starting XI that saw off Argentina on matchday one.
Ukraine: Fesyun; Martynyuk, Talovierov, Salyuk, Krupskyi; Rubchynskyi, Mykhailenko, Kryskiv; Khlan, Bragaru, Sikan
Morocco: Mohamedi; Hakimi, El Wafi, Boukamir, Nakach; Targhalline, Bouchouari, Richardson; Akhomach, Rahimi, Ezzalzouli
Anything else catch the eye?
Morocco are priced up at 10/11 on Betfred to score a minimum of two goals on Saturday and that makes plenty of appeal.
The Atlas Lions struck twice against Argentina and they could get more joy in front of goals against a Ukraine backline that was breached twice by Iraq.
What's more, following their opening day defeat, the Blue and Yellow may have to force the issue here, so they could leave themselves open as result, making Morocco an attractive option to strike twice.
This Olympics match between Ukraine and Morocco will be played on Jul 27, 2024 and kick off at 16:00. Check below for our tipsters best Ukraine vs Morocco prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
