France v Morocco: Griezmann key to second semi-final

France v Morocco betting odds, tips and predictions

Morocco have already gone further at the World Cup than any other African nation has ever managed and are now eyeing a place in the final.

Standing in their way are holders France, who ended England’s hopes and are on course to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since 1962.

Wednesday’s match at Al Bayt Stadium kicks off at 7pm and is live on the BBC.

The case for Morocco’s defence

Morocco have defied the World Cup 2022 odds time and time again in Qatar so will have no issues with being the 3/1 underdogs to qualify from the second semi-final.

Victories over Belgium, Spain and Portugal plus a draw with Croatia show Morocco are a match for the European heavyweights and are certainly hard to break down.

The only goal they have conceded at this tournament was a deflected own goal in a 2-1 win against Canada so France will have to be at their best in an attacking sense to break them down.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who only took over at the end of August, said: “I think we are becoming the team that everyone loves in this World Cup because we are showing the world that you can achieve even if you don’t have as much talent, as much quality, as much money.

✅ Morocco through
❌ Portugal out!

🇲🇦 Incredible scenes as Morocco become the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final! 🙌#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/b1BixmWQ6r

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 10, 2022

“If you work hard enough and you show that desire, that passion and belief then you can succeed. It’s no miracle. We’ve beaten Belgium, Spain, Portugal without letting in a goal. That’s not a miracle. That’s the result of hard work.

“I’m not getting carried away because I know we could have conceded tonight but we made our people happy and proud and we’ve made the continent happy and proud and so many people around the world.

“When you watch Rocky you want to support Rocky Balboa because of his heart and commitment and I think we’re the Rocky of this World Cup.”

Opposing goals looks the best tactic here and under 2.5 goals is 4/7 in the France v Morocco betting odds while under 1.5 is 7/4.

France firm favourites

In contrast to their opponents, France are without a clean sheet at World Cup 2022 but that has not stopped them reaching a second successive semi-final.

Les Bleus secured their return to Al Bayt Stadium after Harry Kane scored one penalty and missed another in a 2-1 victory against England.

Aurelien Tchouameni’s excellent strike was cancelled out by the England skipper, before Olivier Giroud scored his 53rd international goal and Kane blasted a late spot-kick over.

Olivier Giroud with the header 🇫🇷

The all-time top scorer for France puts his side ahead in the second half#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/x5tCZ8M5cv

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 10, 2022

France are firm favourites at 1/4 to go through and 8/15 for victory in 90 minutes but have already lost to north African opposition, with a much-changed line-up beaten 1-0 by Tunisia in their final group game when qualification was already secure.

They could struggle to create chances against a well-drilled defence and we like 11/4 for the match to be drawn in normal time for our France v Morocco betting tips.

Griezmann the assist king

Coral have plenty of #YourCall markets in the France v Morocco betting odds and we’re focusing on Antoine Griezmann for the last of our tips.

The Atletico Madrid man provided the assist for both goals against England and has surpassed Thierry Henry for the most assists playing for France.

He has also created more chances than any other player at the World Cup so will be the key to France unlocking the Morocco defence.

Griezmann is 2/1 to have an assist in the semi-final while Mbappe to also have two shots on target looks good value at 4/1.

View the latest World Cup odds

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication