Scotland vs Morocco Predictions
Scotland laboured to a workmanlike win against Haiti, while a strong Morocco showed so much quality in their draw against Brazil.
Considering those respective performances, I expect the AFCON champions to secure the points in Boston.
Morocco Look Strong
- Morocco won 7 of their last 11 matches
- Morrocco are unbeaten in their last 30 matches
- Scotland lost 6 of their last 10 matches (World Cup finals)
Scotland vs Morocco Set For Second-Ever Encounter
Scotland and Morocco will meet for the second time on Friday. Morocco won 3-0 in their only previous encounter in the World Cup in 1998.
Scotland Scape Past Haitians
Scotland return to Boston after a nerve-wracking 1-0 win against Haiti at Gillette Stadium. John McGinn’s deflected strike proved the difference as the Scots secured their first World Cup win since 1990.
After an evenly balanced first half, Steve Clarke’s side offered little attacking threat in the second period. Scotland registered just two shots after the break, compared to seven from the Haitians.
Final match stats reflected the tight nature of the contest, with both teams registering an xG of 1.05.
With only four wins in 19 previous World Cup finals matches, Scotland will have been satisfied to emerge with three vital points in Group C.
They now require just one point from their remaining group fixtures against Morocco and Brazil to almost certainly secure a first-ever qualification from the group phase.
Clarke’s men have been in solid form over the past year, winning eight of their last 12 international fixtures. Placed 43rd in the FIFA World Rankings, Scotland sit 35 places behind Morocco.
Morocco Held by Brazil
Morocco make their way to Boston after picking up a valuable point against Group C favourites Brazil last weekend. Ismael Saibari gave the AFCON champions a deserved first-half lead before Vini Jr levelled matters just 11 minutes later.
The Atlas Lions were good value for the draw and might well have taken all three points in New York. Morocco posted a higher xG than Brazil (1.37 to 1.26), while they also edged the shot count 14-12 at MetLife Stadium.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s men have been in brilliant form in the last year, remaining unbeaten in their last 30 matches. Over a longer period, Morocco have lost just two of 55 previous international fixtures since 2023.
Morocco will have mixed memories of their only previous meeting with Scotland. The Atlas Lions claimed a famous 3-0 win in their final group-stage fixture at the 1998 World Cup, but it was not enough to keep them in the tournament.
Despite that victory, Morocco suffered a heartbreaking elimination after Norway claimed a shock win over Brazil, sending the Atlas Lions home in cruel circumstances.
Squads and Team News
Scotland Squad
Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly, Craig Gordon
Defenders: Aaron Hickey, Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry, John Souttar, Dominic Hyam, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna
Midfielders: Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Tyler Fletcher, Ryan Christie, Ben Doak, Lewis Ferguson, Kenny McLean, Findlay Curtis
Forwards: Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams, Ross Stewart, George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland
Scotland manager Clarke is likely to revert to a more defensive formation for Friday’s crucial Group C contest at Gillette Stadium.
Rangers forward Lawrence Shankland is expected to drop out, with Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean and Kieran Tierney potential candidates to come into the first XI.
Clarke could opt for a 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 shape, with the Scots set to use the pace of Ben Gannon-Doak and Che Adams in a counter-attacking setup against their in-form rivals.
The Scotland boss praised the Tartan Army for their incredible support throughout the early stages of the competition.
"The supporters were unbelievable at the end. We defended really well, could have been better with the ball, but everyone told us it was a must-win game and we won it. It was a good night for the fans, and not too many big chances against us.
"I told the players you have to be ready to help the team whenever you're called on.
"Not many Scottish teams win when it comes to the World Cup, that's victory number five in a World Cup finals, I think, my boys are alright."
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 side that performed well against Brazil. Goalkeeper Bono is expected to feature after picking up a shoulder knock in a collision with Raphinha.
The 49-year-old head coach was satisfied with his side’s display against the Brazilians.
“If you offered me another semi-final like we managed in 2022, I’d tell you that I want to go further. It was a good game."
"It would have been nice to get more than a point out of it, but we’ll take this, and we’ll push on with our next match.”