Morocco vs Haiti Predictions
Morocco will have their eye on top spot in Group C, and should make light work of a potentially jaded Haiti side.
I fancy the AFCON champions to win-to-nil in Atlanta.
Morocco Maintain Solid Form
- Morocco won 8 of their last 12 matches
- Morocco kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 12 matches
- Haiti failed to score in 3 of their last 6 matches
- Haiti lost 4 of their last 6 matches
Morocco and Haiti Set For First-Ever Encounter
Morocco and Haiti will meet for the first time on Wednesday.
Morocco Edge Past Stubborn Scots
Morocco face their final Group C fixture in a positive place after a workmanlike 1-0 win against Scotland in Boston. Ismael Saibari stunned the Scots with the fastest goal of the tournament inside the opening two minutes.
Despite a dominant first-half display, Morocco were unable to add to their lead in what proved a somewhat dull affair at Gillette Stadium. Both teams finished the contest with an xG below one.
The Atlas Lions now face the Haitians with four points on the board after a 1-1 draw against Brazil in their first Group C fixture.
Mohamed Ouahbi's men have yet to hit the heights of their performances in Qatar four years ago, but remain a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Morocco are unbeaten in their last 31 internationals.
A solid defence remains the Atlas Lions' greatest strength. Ouahbi's side conceded just five goals in their 14 most recent fixtures.
Haiti Punished by Brazil
Haiti bring their World Cup campaign to a close after a 3-0 defeat against Group C favourites Brazil last week. Matheus Cunha scored twice as the Selecao eased to victory with three first-half goals at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Haitians showed plenty of spirit in a competitive second period, outshooting Brazil by seven to two. Despite their efforts, Sebastien Migne's men were unable to breach the Brazilian defence.
The Grenadiers have lacked attacking quality in their two Group C fixtures. The CONCACAF qualifiers have registered a combined xG of just 1.28 from their two matches against Scotland and Brazil.
Since a 4-0 pre-tournament win against New Zealand, Haiti have now lost three successive fixtures, and four of their last six since March. Migne's side failed to score in three of those defeats.
Squads and Team News
Morocco Squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir Mohamedi, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Youssef Belammari, Redouane Halhal, Anass Salah-Eddine
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Chemsdine Talbi, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Samir El Mourabet, Gessime Yassine, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui
Forwards: Soufiane Rahimi, Brahim Díaz, Abde Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi
Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi is unlikely to make changes from the starting selection that edged past Scotland in Boston.
The recently appointed head coach was pleased with the performance against the Scots.
“We controlled the whole game and, in terms of efficiency, I saw it as actually better than the first game,” said Ouahbi.
Haiti Squad
Goalkeepers: Johny Placide, Alexandre Pierre, Josue Duverger
Defenders: Carlens Arcus, Keeto Thermoncy, Ricardo Adé, Hannes Delcroix, Martin Experience, Duke Lacroix, Jean-Kevin Duverne, Wilguens Paugain
Midfielders: Carl Sainte, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Leverton Pierre, Danley Jean Jacques, Dominique Simon, Woodensky Pierre
Forwards: Derrick Etienne Jr., Duckens Nazon, Louicius Deedson, Ruben Providence, Lenny Joseph, Wilson Isidor, Yassin Fortune, Frantzdy Pierrot, Josue Casimir
Sebastien Migne is likely to make changes to his first XI for Haiti's final World Cup contest. Dominique Simon, Wilson Isidor and Louicius Don Deedson are all pushing for recalls after appearing from the bench against Brazil.