Spain vs Morocco
World Cup Group B
Date: Monday, 25 June 2018
Kick-Off at 19:00 UK / 20:00 CET
Venue: Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad.
Team news
Morocco's Nordin Amrabat defied expectations to feature against Portugal despite having suffered concussion in the opening game against Iran.
The Leganes forward is likely to feature once more although Monaco midfielder Youssef Ait Bennasser is likely to miss out with a thigh injury.
Spain have no injury problems with Dani Carvajal having returned at right-back against Iran.
Preview
Morocco's two defeats in the World Cup have come by a 1-0 scoreline despite having more possession, shots and corners in both of those matches.
Whilst they are not likely to dominate possession against the world's best passing side, they can be extremely dangerous, although without doubt they lack a cutting edge.
Spain too have often struggled to turn their dominant possession into goals, and opposing an early strike in Kaliningrad could be a wise option.
Spain vs Morocco Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Spain Team News
Fernando Hierro shifted from 4-3-3 to 4-1-4-1 in the second game against Iran.
Dani Carvajal made the return on the full-back replacing his Real Madrid teammate Nacho there. We expect the fully-recovered Carvajal to start the clash with Morocco as well.
Elsewhere, it was only Lucas Vazquez who replaced Koke in the centre of the park.
Koke could make the return here, while we also expect Thiago Alcantara to start his first game at World Cup instead of Andres Iniesta who could be rested for the knockout stage here.
Diego Costa will lead the line after scoring his third goal of the campaign.
Spain Predicted Starting Eleven (4-1-4-1)
De Gea – Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba – Busquets – Koke, Silva, Alcantara, Isco – Costa
Morocco Team News
Herve Renard fancies the 4-2-3-1 formation with which he is expected to close the competition on Monday.
The only change to the squad was the introduction of Nabil Dirar instead of Amine Harit.
Nordin Amrabat was moved forward to play on the right-wing letting Dirar take his place at the full-back.
While Hakim Ziyech moved on to the left instead of Harit who disappointed in the opener against Iran.
Morocco Predicted Starting Eleven (4-2-3-1)
Munir – Dirar, Benatia, Saiss, Hakimi – El Ahmadi, Boussoufa – Amrabat, Belhanda, Ziyech – El Kaabi.
Head To Head
These two nations haven't met since a two-legged World Cup qualification match in 1962, a tie that Spain won 4-2 on aggregate.
Spain vs Morocco Predictions
Spain -1.50 Asian Handicap at 2.1
Spain to Win and Over 2.5 Match Goals at 6/5
Correct Score Prediction
Spain 3-1 at 12/1
Anytime Goal scorer Prediction
Diego Costa To Score Anytime at 10/11
