The first match of Group B will be played between Iran and Morocco in Saint Petersburg Stadium. Group B also has the strong Spain and Euro 2016 winners Portugal. If either Iran or Morocco wants to get past the group stage, it is very important for them to win this fixture.
It will be a hard fought fixture with both teams trying to win this one. It will be harder for both of them to meet against Portugal or Spain.
Form
Morocco is unbeaten in last 18 months with their 18 matches unbeaten run stretching back to June 2017. Morocco was very good defensively and their tight defense helped them make it through the World Cup qualifiers. Apart from that, they have won 4 of their last 5 matches and possess a good attacking prowess with Ayoub El Kaabi leading the lines.
Iran has also won 3 out of 5 matches losing the remaining games against Tunisia and Turkey in the process. They have won these matches with slight margins, winning 1-0 against Lithuania in Moscow and winning against Algeria 2-1 and Uzbekistan 1-0.
Squad
Moroccan team is known for their mean defensive prowess. With Medhi Benatia, Morocco has a very stable captain and a strong midfielder pulling the strings from deep. Amine Harit is one of the best prospects to watch out for in this tournament. In the back young Ashraf Hakimi is also expected to utilize the experience he got playing with elite players at Real Madrid.
Morocco Predicted XI:
Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Medhi Benatia, Romain Saiss, Hamza Mendyl, Karim El-Ahmadi, Mbark Boussoufa, Nordin Amrabat, Younes Belhanda, Hakim Ziyech, Khalid Boutaib
Iran is not having the run of form they would have expected to go into such a major tournament. Sardar Azmoun plays for Rubin Kazan in Russia and just scored his 23rd goal for Iran in his 33rd appearance. Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh will be top form arriving into the World and will be the main to look for.
Iran Predicted XI:
Beiranvand – Mohammadi, Cheshmi, Pouraliganji, Rezeian – Shojaei, Hajsafi – Taremi, Azmoun, Jahanbaksh – Ghoddos
Prediction
With the form Morocco is in, they are expected to emerge victoriously. Although, both teams are expected to keep it tight at the back and look for an opportunity to get the better of opponent’s mistakes. Expecting it to be a low scoring match with Morocco winning it either 1-0 or 2-0.
Odds
Morocco to win at 7/4.
Draw at 2/1.
Iran to win at 5/1.
Odds at Mr. Green and LeoVegas
Morocco to win at 6/5.
Draw at 3.
Iran to win at 11/4.
Under 2.5 goals at 4/3.
Over 2.5 goals at 8/5.
