Argentina v France

The goat’s last dance! Probably or Maybe Not?

What a great way to be ending one of the best World Cups ever organized by FIFA, Argentina vs France. The Old Gaurd against the New Order.

Considering the Argentine journey from the start of their campaign in Qatar against Saudi Arabia, not many would’ve thought they’d be playing in the final. It has been a massive turnaround for the Lionel Messi-led side in what is definitely going to be his last World Cup, as stated by him in a recent interview during the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Today’s game will no doubt be the toughest but maybe the best for them and possibly in their entire national career.

France, the reigning world champions once again in the final, a place where many fans have echoed has been rightfully earned by the french army. A great chance to make history by becoming the 3rd to win the World Cup back-to-back and the first since 1962 would be the main focus on each of their minds.

The French National Football Team has been very good in this tournament and has shown that they’re ready to defend the title from 4 years ago, won in Russia.

The two finalists have great players with an abundance of sheer qualities but today’s final will definitely be a battle spearheaded by two club teammates, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé of Paris St. Germain.

An end-to-end game no doubt would be in the mix of play and maybe a sit-back or possibly an all-out attack should any team score or concede first. Either way, this is a game expected to be greatly enjoyed and appreciated.

It’ll live up to the hype and will go down as one of the best FIFA World Cup finals in history.

Our expert’s opinion on the game

Corner: Over 8.5

Goals: BTTS, Over 1.5

Cards: Over 3.5

 

France v Morocco

France, Les Bleus as colloquially known is on the course of a historical achievement aiming to become the first team in over 60 years to win the World Cup back to back. They’ve shown they have all it takes to defend the title they won in Russia 4 years ago.

Morocco, the Atlas Lions popularly called has shown to the world what they can do going by the results they’ve garnered in this year’s FIFA World Cup.

First African Nation to make it to the semifinal of the FIFA World Cup, no doubt we can’t underrate them at this stage. Defeated top FIFA-ranked teams on their way to the semifinal, this team is on a mission.

France holds a 3-1 head-to-head edge over Morocco in five meetings, with their last meeting in 2007 ending in a 2-2 draw. Their defense so far in this tournament has been top-notch. They’re yet to concede a goal from any opposition player in Qatar, but I see things changing today.

Morocco will not be able to push France to extra-time and penalty shootout today but I see them fighting with all they’ve got.

No surprises today as the journey of the Africans might be coming to an end.

ProBet Pick: Our expert’s opinion on today’s game:

Outcome: France to win in regulation time.

Goals: Over 1.5

VAR to be Used: YES

Argentina v Croatia

A tricky first semifinal of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup awaits us tonight between Lionel Messi-led Argentina and Luka Modric’s Croatia.

One of the most disciplined sides in this year’s world cup, Croatia have proven over the last few years that they can hold their ground against the football powerhouse. That we saw in the last world cup when against all odds made it to the final.

Again this time, they’ve displayed some unique character which has pushed them to this semifinal stage. The first time they’ll achieve a back-to-back semifinal stage in the FIFA World Cup.

They have proven also that they’re not only good defensively but can also come back when they’re down. That we saw against Brazil in the extra-time of their quarterfinal clash. Many teams will collapse at that stage of the game. Not every team can pick up themselves after going behind in the first half of an extra-time game, especially against a strong side like Brazil.

They’ve qualified for the semifinal after seeing off their round of 16 and quarterfinal opponents (Japan and Brazil) via a penalty shootout win. They didn’t lose any of their spot kicks in the process.

Argentina has been amazing since the start of the knockout stages.

Knocked out high-flying Dutch side in the quarterfinal via penalty shootout despite losing a 2-goal advantage.

The ability to hold themselves together despite losing such an advantage against a high-flying Dutch side shows the mental strength of the players in the squad.

Lost 2014 final to Germany in Brazil, the La Albiceleste looks set for another final in Qatar but will have to overcome a tactically disciplined Croatia side.

This world cup has shown the world the power of tactics and the majority of the victories achieved are achieved with the help of coaches’ tactics.

A really tricky tie between this side going by what they’ve done in the World Cup. Going by history both sides have met 5 times. Once played a draw, sharing two victories each.

The last time they met in the group stage during the Russia 2018 world cup, Croatia won 3-0.

A balanced game it’ll be tonight but the game will be won at regulation time, meaning, we’re not going to see a penalty shootout tonight.

ProBet Pick: Our expert’s research suggests these best picks:

Corners: Over 8.5

Goals: Over 1.5

VAR to be used: YES

Morocco v Portugal

With a thrilling encounter yet to be unleashed today, Many may consider this to be the end of the road for the Atlas Lions of Morocco, however, should the North Africans put on a fierce display as they did in the second round against Spain, an improbable result may be amongst the many we have seen in this tournament. The result may as well be upset, as that has now almost become common in Qatar.

Portugal, after losing to South Korea in their last group game came up to put 6 goals past Switzerland in the second round while also ensuring that a captivating classic performance was exhibited as a show.

Till this moment, no opposition player has scored against Morocco in this year’s world cup as the only goal they’ve was scored by their own player (own goal), stemming along a very well-drilled and tightened unit for their defensive line.

A highly defensively disciplined Morocco team may lead the lions to curtail the Portuguese attack today.

We expect it to be a difficult and gruesome 90 minutes. Unlike the round of 16 where Portugal had 6 in the back of the swiss net, goals may be scarce in the match.

Our research predicts and shows an under 2.5 goals game while cards fly around. Our data shows that the Expected number of cards shown should be in the region of over 3.5 which will most likely result from frustration in the Portuguese camp. A series of dangerous precautions from trying to hold down the Portuguese stars would result in the Lions picking up numbers in the cards booklet too.

Both teams have played against each other twice with each side picking up a win during the encounter.

In June 1986, Morocco claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory over Portugal, and in the last World Cup held in Russia, Ronaldo netted the only goal at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in the opening five minutes to condemn the North Africans to a slender 1-0 defeat in group B.

ProBet Pick: Our research suggests these as the best bet picks:

Cards – Over 3.5

Goals – Under 2.5

Netherlands v Argentina

Arguably the toughest fixture in this round.

The Netherlands are one of the few teams left unbeaten in this tournament and the team seem to be getting stronger every match gone by.

The Orange Boys looks solid both at the back and going forward, they’ve been dangerous.

They’ve scored at least a goal in their last 26 games and I don’t see the La Albiceleste stopping them from scoring today.

Argentina on the other hand seems to have gain some confidence level since their 2-1 first game loss to Saudi Arabia at the start of the 2022 World Cup.

A 2-0 scoreline against Poland and Mexico sends them to the quarterfinal where they defeated Australia 2-1.

Not so convincing for me yet but the La Albiceleste have been able to get needed results where it mattered most in this tournament and their starman, Lionel Messi has lived to the billing on important days.

They were over 30 games unbeaten before losing to Saudi Arabia but the confidence level in the team after the 3 victory on the bounce is high.

They’ve scored in all of their last 30 games except 2 and with their attacking prowess, they look poised to scoring at a goal today.

Played each other 9 times with the Dutch having the upper hand with 4 wins as against the 3 wins of the Argentine. Twice they’ve tied.

Both teams are definitely going to score today (BTTS) but it might go down to extra time and penalty to decide a winner