Belgium v Morocco predictions: Trust Red Devils to improve on poor opening show

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Belgium v Morocco in World Cup Group F on Sunday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 1pm Sunday

Best bet

Belgium to win & under 3.5 goals
1pt 31-20 Coral

Belgium stunk the place out against Canada but emerged with a 1-0 win and they are worth backing to grind out another low-scoring victory against a Morocco side who are short of in-form attacking options.

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Match preview

Punters who believe the old adage that winning without playing well is the sign of champions will be all over Belgium in the World Cup outright market after the Red Devils stumbled to a 1-0 victory over Group F outsiders Canada on Wednesday.

That was a record-equalling eighth straight World Cup group win for Belgium – a feat that Brazil have achieved twice – although their performance would not have sparked wild celebrations on the streets of Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp.

Roberto Martinez's side, semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup, would have been behind inside ten minutes of their 2022 campaign but for a Thibaut Courtois penalty-save from Canada's Alphonso Davies.

That let-off might have been expected to stir Belgium into action but they were dominated by the underdogs until pinching a breakaway goal just before half-time when Michy Batshuayi slotted home.

The Belgians improved a little after the interval but were still reliant on Canada's lack of composure in front of goal as the north Americans ended the game with 22 attempts to their illustrious opponents' nine.

England followed up their swashbuckling 6-2 win over Iran with a dismal 0-0 draw against the USA, reminding punters not to get carried away with one-match form at major tournaments.

At the prices, then, Belgium are worth another chance when they take on Morocco, who claimed a creditable 0-0 draw against 2018 runners-up Croatia but lost Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui to injury.

Belgium, with Romelu Lukaku likely to be sidelined again, have two class acts in their starting 11 in goalkeeper Courtois and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who was named man of the match against Canada despite a poor display by his own standards.

De Bruyne has the ability to take an underwhelming team by the scruff of its neck and second-half substitutes Leandro Trossard and Andre Onana also provided Belgium with some much-needed impetus.

Morocco's stalemate against Croatia followed clean sheets against Georgia, Paraguay, Chile and Liberia in their previous four internationals so it is hard to see Belgium cutting loose against the north Africans.

A victory for Martinez's men in a match featuring under 3.5 goals could be the best bet as Morocco's only two shots on target against Croatia came from full-backs Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi.

The Red Devils must sharpen up after surviving their opening scare against Canada but the market may have moved too far against them and they can edge a tight contest with Morocco.

Key stat

Only one of Morocco's last 11 internationals has produced more than three goals.

Team news

Belgium
Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to feature as he is still struggling with a thigh injury.

Morocco
Bayern Munich's Noussair Mazraoui suffered an injury against Croatia and joins Abdelhamid Sabiri and Abdessanad Ezzalzouli on the sidelines.

Probable teams

Belgium (3-4-2-1) Courtois; Dendoncker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Onana, Witsel, Carrasco; E Hazard, De Bruyne; Batshuayi

Morocco (4-2-3-1) Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Attiat-Allah; Amrabat, Ounahi; Amallah, Boufal, Ziyech; En-Nesyri

Inside info

Belgium

Top scorer in probable team Eden Hazard
Star player Kevin De Bruyne
Penalty taker Kevin De Bruyne
Assist ace Kevin De Bruyne
Set-piece aerial threat Toby Alderweireld
Card magnet Axel Witsel

Morocco

Top scorer in probable team Hakim Ziyech
Star player Achraf Hakimi
Penalty taker Sofiane Boufal
Assist ace Achraf Hakimi
Set-piece aerial threat Nayef Aguerd
Card magnet Sofyan Amrabat

Belgium v Morocco Bet Builder

Belgium to win The Red Devils will surely improve on their display against Canada and can grind out a win
Under 3.5 goals Morocco have kept five clean sheets in a row but their attacking threat appears limited
Kevin De Bruyne to score at any time Belgium's key man plays in an advanced role and should get shooting chances

Price guide 5-1 with Hills