Argentina v Croatia – Over 1.5 Total Goals by Argentina
Argentina are favourites to reach the 2022 World Cup final, but Croatia will be tricky opponents in Tuesday’s semi-final. Lionel Scaloni’s team haven’t found top gear in Qatar, yet they have still managed to score twice in each of their last four matches at the tournament. They have enough firepower to get past the 2018 finalists.
Lionel Messi has been in sparkling form for La Albiceleste, scoring four goals and contributing two assists. Argentina aren’t as reliant on the 35-year-old as they have been in the past, but Messi remains their difference-maker. He will be important as a source of creativity against a defensively-sound Croatia.
Julian Alvarez is expected to start for Argentina with Angel di Maria fit enough to feature after an injury earlier in the tournament. Croatia will look to control the match in the centre of the pitch through the likes of Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic. Argentina’s challenge will be to disrupt that control
France v Morocco – Under 2.5 Total Goals
Morocco have been the surprise package of the 2022 World Cup, making a run to the semi-finals of the tournament. Walid Regragui’s team have conceded just one goal in Qatar, and that was an own goal in a group stage victory over Canada. France won’t have it easy against the North Africans.
Sofyan Amrabat has been one of the stars of the 2022 World Cup. He will be a protective barrier in the centre of the pitch for Morocco with Azzedine Ounahi crucial to the way they play out from the back on the counter-attack. Both midfielders will need to be in top form if Morocco are to stand any chance against France.
A deep defensive line will give Morocco the opportunity to deny Mbappe space in behind. France will dominate possession, but they might find it tricky to play through the same opposition that managed to keep out Belgium, Croatia, Spain and Portugal at the 2022 World Cup
France v Morocco – Olivier Giroud To Score
France are one win away from appearing in their second successive World Cup final after beating England in Saturday’s quarter-final clash. Les Blues are heavy favourites to see off Morocco, but the North Africans have already held their own against Belgium, Croatia, Spain and Portugal at this tournament – they can’t be underestimated.
Morocco will stay compact and ask France to play their press. Against Portugal, Morocco allowed the opposition to create in the wide areas. They could do similar against France, but the 2018 world champions have Olivier Giroud to get on the end of crosses into the penalty box. Unlike Portugal, they have an aerial threat.
Giroud has found the back of the net four times in four games at the 2022 World Cup. With Kylian Mbappe drifting out to the left and Ousmane Dembele on the right wing, Morocco could find themselves stretched which will create space for Giroud in the middle. He could be the key to the match for France.
GRAHAM’S TREBLE
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