Bet of the Day: Ivory Coast and Morocco set for low-scoring clash
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Ivorians host this World Cup decider
Ivory Coast host Morocco in their final group game of World Cup 2018 Qualification. One side will secure an automatic spot in Russia, while the other will be watching next year’s tournament on TV.
It’s likely to be an extremely tight and tense affair. Group leaders Morocco haven’t conceded so far in qualification, and their last 11 competitive away games have produced a combined nine goals.
The pair’s Head-to-Head record also suggests goals will be light on the ground. Three of the last four meetings have ended 1-0, with the other finishing 0-0.
With just a single goal struck before the interval in the pair’s past five clashes, Coral’s Bet of the Day is First Half Correct Score 0-0 at 11/10.
Atlas Lions can edge this encounter
While Ivory Coast have been decent in this WCQ campaign, they’ve been less impressive in the friendlies and Africa Cup of Nations qualification running concurrently.
In fact, Les Elephants have won just one of their last six home games, suffering defeat to Gabon last time out. By contrast, Morocco have won four of their previous six matches, drawing the other two. That included an eye-catching win over South Korea last time out.
With these sides’ meetings virtually always low on goals, and the Atlas Lions managing seven clean sheets so far in 2017, Morocco to Win to Nil looks good value at 19/4.
Value in a goal or less in
As mentioned above, the Coral News Team aren’t expecting much in the way of goalmouth action – especially in the opening period. But Morocco’s games have thrown up a slew of 2-0 victories in recent times.
Herve Renard’s side have won by that scoreline on five occasions in the past 18 months, while the Ivorians have conceded two goals to each of Niger and Gabon during their past five games.
With Ivory Coast needing a victory to reach the World Cup, and Morocco having the pacy counter-attacking talents of Rachid Alioui and Achraf Bencharki in attack, more of the same looks possible. Correct Score: Morocco 2-0 could offer handsome returns at 18/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
