Morocco to frustrate Brazil in first-half
Click here for Brazil v Morocco odds
Saturday 13 June 23:00 kick-off
Metlife Stadium, New Jersey
Group C Betting Guide
It's a tough start for five-time winners Brazil as they kick-off their World Cup bid with likely their toughest group game against Morocco (sorry Scotland and Haiti fans but, come on...).
Brazil are 4/61.67 for victory against the surprise package of the last World Cup with their incredible run to the semi-finals - with Morocco 9/25.50 shots after following their Qatar exploits with a perfect qualifying record, an Arab Cup succes and then their controversial Africa Cup of Nations 'victory'.
The Atlas Lions are unbeaten in five friendlies since, and are in fact just one place behind Brazil in the FIFA World Rankings (6th-7th). Morocco also won the last head-to-head back in 2023.
Brazil have had some spotty form including defeats against Japan and France, and a draw with Tunisia that's an interesting form line for their opponents here, but Carlo Ancelotti has overseen three straight wins ahead of the tournament.
The Selecao have won 17 of their last 20 World Cup openers, drawing the other three, while Morocco have never won their first game at a World Cup - drawing three and losing three of their previous six. The draw here is 14/53.80 and wouldn't be that big of a surprise.
Under 2.5 goals is favoured at 3/41.75 and no wonder, as Morocco have kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 games, conceded just once from open play in seven games at AFCON and let in one goal in their first five games at the last World Cup - with clean sheets against Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Croatia.
This really does look a tough one for Ancelotti, as Morocco are decent on the break, and I can see both sides being reasonably happy with a draw - one of them may pinch it late on but it won't be a goalfest.
Morocco/Draw in the double chance market at 11/102.11 is interesting, but a key trend here is Morocco keeping 24 consecutive first-half clean sheets - so the half-time draw at 6/52.20 is appealing but we'll go a step further and back a goalless first half.
Back a 0-0 draw at half-time
Back 13/27.50 Bet Builder as fouls fly in
We've got Real Madrid team-mates leading the way as goal threats, with Vinicius Junior 13/82.63 to score anytime after two goals in three, while Morocco's Brahim Diaz is 9/25.50 to score for what would be the third time in six outings.
There's plenty of options in terms of stats bets, with the odds weighted in favour of Brazil's star forwards there's a touch of value elsewhere - Bruno Guimaraes scored in the last friendly and is 6/42.50 for just 1+ shot on target here.
Casemiro is the same 6/42.50 and has been surprisingly handy of late, landing that in four of seven internationals - his ability in the air could be key here as Brazil will likely win a good few set pieces.
Two Moroccans to look out for are Brahim Diaz, who looks the pick of the bunch at 10/111.91 for a shot on target, which he's managed in seven of 10 for his country, while marauding right-back Achraf Hakimi is an outside chance at 23/103.30.
Fouls looks a good angle here with the same faces popping up - Guimaraes giving away multiple fouls in six of 10, so the 4/71.57 on 2+ fouls here looks another solid Bet Builder option.
Against a vibrant counter attack Casemiro could get exposed here too - his fouls totals are quite low but with a booking in three of his last six then back him to see a card at 13/102.30.
Hakimi's battle with Vinicius Junior is a key one in both directions, but with the Brazilian's ability to 'win' free kicks then the Moroccan is another 2+ foul candidate at 4/61.67. He's hit that mark in three of five and that's facing nobody even close to Vini Jr.
An obvious but valid option is Sofyan Amrabat at 4/91.44 for 2+ fouls facing not only Brazil's attacking talent but midfielders in Casemiro and Guimaraes who are two of the best at drawing fouls from the opposition. So he makes our Bet Builder from the plethora of options.
Back Diaz 1+ shot on target and Amrabat, Hakimi and Guimaraes 2+ fouls