World Cup 2022 - Semifinals (13-14 December)

[spkutano]

 

[spkutano]

Argentina vs Croatia Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Argentina:
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

Croatia:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Gvardiol, Lovren, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic

Argentina will face Croatia in the first World Cup semi-final at Lusail Iconic Stadium. Both teams had nervy quarter-finals and progressed through penalties. La Albiceleste were shocked in the opening match of the tournaments against Saudi Arabia. Messi gave them an early lead and nobody could imagine Saudi Arabia are able to turn out the result. But football is full of surprises and the opponents flipped the game on its head in a stunning 10-minute period after half-time. Because of that, the remaining two matches with Mexico and Poland were something like a final. Argentina dominated the both games and Messi managed to make a difference. The Argentinian fans celebrated the progress and felt a big relief as their World Cup campaign remained alive. Australia and Netherlands were the victims in the knock-out phase. Coach Scaloni could be satisfied, but has some issues ahead of this match. Full-backs Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna are both suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Three players are rated as doubtful due to minor injuries - Alejandro Gomez, Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria. Most probably the trio will be fit to start the semi-final.

Croatia finished second in Group F and qualified for the knock-out rounds, eliminating Belgium, one of the favorites for the trophy. They beat Canada 4:1 and played goalless draws with Morocco and Belgium. Coach Zlatko Dalic put his focus on the strong defense. Indeed, the Chequered Ones have conceded just three goal so far and they are between the best defensive sides in Qatar. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero against Japan and Brazil. In the quarter-final, he kept Brazil out 11 times before also saving from Rodrygo in the penalty shootout. This will be a second successive World Cup semi-final for the Red and Whites and they become penalty specialists. Croatia reached the final thanks to penalty roulette at World Cup 2018 and something similar is happening again. Dalic has most of his players available for this match, including Borna Sosa and Mislav Orsic who have both recovered from illnesses. Some changes are possible - Bruno Petkovic, who scored the dramatic equalizer against Brazil in the quarter-finals, is pushing for a starting spot and could replace Andrej Kramaric who has started every game in Qatar so far.

Argentina vs Croatia Prediction:

Argentina have never been eliminated from the World Cup in the final four and have progressed to the final every time that they have got this far - the fifth and most recent of which came in the 2014 tournament. And I think they will win again. Croatia were lucky to eliminate Brazil, but that's their maximum. Goalkeeper Livakovic can't produce miracles forever. Argentina have player able to make a difference - Messi.

Argentina vs Croatia Pick: Argentina to win @ 1.80 with Pinnacle

 

[Jan44]

Croatia will play as with Brazil. They will try to keep the match in a low pace.

 

[ALEXXXXXXX]

France vs Morocco

The two sides play in very different ways, so this Wednesday's matchup promises to be a tight tie in 90 minutes because of France's excellent attacking and Morocco's outstanding defensive.

Pick: X

 

[spkutano]

France vs Morocco Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

France:
Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

Morocco:
Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal

The reigning World Cup champions France will face the African trailblazers Morocco in Wednesday's semi-final at the Al Bayt Stadium. France are huge favorites according to the bookmakers, though they will have a difficult task against the biggest surprise of the tournament. Les Bleus topped Group D, beating 4:1 Australia and 2:1 Denmark. In the third round they lost 1:0 to Tunisia, but it is important to be mentioned that several key players - Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann - were reserves. In the knock-out stage Didier Deschamps' men have eliminated Poland and England. France deserved both victories, but they were lucky against the Three Lions in the quarterfinals as Harry Kane missed a penalty in the finish of the match, so Aurelien Tchouameni's thunderbolt and Olivier Giroud's header were enough for progress. Deschamps has no fresh injury or suspension concerns coming into this game and is likely to start the same or similar lineup as he did against England. Theo Hernandez should continue at left-back position in the absence of his stricken brother Lucas Hernandez, who suffered a torn ACL in their opening match with Australia. Karim Benzema remain out injured, but it seems his absence is not a problem regarding goals. Giroud is fantastic and could become the oldest player in history to score five goals in a single World Cup should he find the back of the net here.

Morocco are the biggest surprise of the tournament as nobody believed they could reach the semi-finals. They had a difficult group that contained two big favorites Croatia and Belgium. Nevertheless, Walid Regragui's men finished first in Group F. Morocco have registered two big victories against Belgium and Canada, plus a draw with Croatia. The fans are in delirium, but some of them went too far. The victories against Spain and Portugal triggered big riots in Belgium, France and Netherlands. Dozens of football fans smashed shop windows, threw fireworks and torched vehicles in Brussels, there were also disturbances in the city of Antwerp and Liege. In France, police responded to riots that broke out in Paris' Champs-Elysees neighborhood following Morocco's victory over Portugal. Rioters have reportedly engaged in acts of vandalism; police have responded with tear gas. Now about the team news. Coach Walid Regragui has lot of issues ahead of the semi-final. Striker Walid Cheddira received a red card against Portugal and will be suspended for the semi-final. Nayef Aguerd from West Ham missed the last match after suffering an adductor injury and he is rated as doubtful. Romain Saiss had to be stretchered off on Saturday due to a hamstring issue and he is also an injury doubt. Noussair Mazraoui could be back after recovering from a hip injury, while Abdelhamid Sabiri is doubtful after receiving a knock. Key player Hakim Ziyech came off against Portugal with a knock, but that was likely a precautionary measure.

France vs Morocco Prediction:

Morocco are the most pleasant surprise in Qatar. The Atlas Lions managed to beat Spain and Portugal on their way to the semi-finals. The players will try to reach the final, however France are more experienced side. Plus, they have players able to make the difference in a match like this - Mbappe, Giroud and Griezmann. Having on mind Morocco's injury and suspension problems, I think France will secure another final.

France vs Morocco Pick: France to win @ 1.55 with Pinnacle

 

[mayertom]

All I want to Christmas is Final - Croatia vs Morocco.

 

[Bettingsocks]

I think it will be Argentina 2-0 & France 1-1

 

[Jan44]

It was an easy victory for Argentina. I think it will be tough for France today.

 

[spkutano]

Argentina vs Croatia Pick: Argentina to win @ 1.80 with Pinnacle

3-0

 

[spkutano]

France vs Morocco Pick: France to win @ 1.55 with Pinnacle

2-0