Morocco takes on the visitors Iran at “Saint-Petersburg Stadium” in the matchday one of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group stage. The game will be played in Saint Petersburg on Friday, June 15th.
Morocco is quite capable to compete with Europeans sides for promotion from Group B as I believe it to be one of the most underestimated teams at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. “Igrzamn n Atlasi” can be described as the tough and well-organized defense, bright and talented offense which are trained by the highly-effective head-coach who knows how to cooperate with the African sides - Herve Renard (under his rule two different teams won the Africa Cup of Nations plus Ivory Coast showed decent results at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil). There are plenty of utility players in the squad who performed at the European top level, thus, it is easy to adjust the line-up to any tactical scheme. The only weak spot of Morocco is an absence of the good striker, however, “Igrzamn n Atlasi” shouldn’t score a lot to gain a victory as they have stone-wall defense which has not conceded a single goal within the Confederation of African Football's Preliminary Competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in an extremely complicated rivalry against Mali, Gabon and Ivory Coast). Moreover, the side participated in six friendly tackles during last year, having conceded more than one goal not a single time.
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In its turn, Iran looks much more humble. Although this is disciplined and organized team, still, it is lacking class, suitable competitive practice (Lithuania and Uzbekistan are not considered to be appropriate rivals for training clashes while the Iranians have not been involved in the official fights for a year) and ability to score goals. Like the upcoming opponent, "Persian Stars" produce astonishing performance in defense, having earned 12 clean sheets in a row in qualification round, but they face huge problems in attack. The Iranians have not managed to score a single goal in three out of 10 battles conducted within the Asian Football Confederation’s Preliminary Competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with single goal scored in four other games. And that fully described the modern A-team: it has sources to shut out and labour a draw against any rival, but it doesn’t have facilities to deserve a triumph.
It looks like Iran will not be satisfied with a draw against Morocco as in that case "Shiran e Iran" keep miserable chances for promotion from Group B (as they will have to beat Spain or Portugal). As a result, the Iranians will be forced to step away from their usual tactic which may cause a disaster. In their turn, the Moroccans feel more comfortable as they have many strong performers in attack who are capable to lead the game, being at the same rather tough in defense. That ability to be equally solid like in offense, like in defense set “Igrzamn n Atlasi” apart from the upcoming opponent and turns them into the favourites. Thus, I believe that Iran is able to gain a draw, but not to beat the Moroccans.
Prediction for the match: Morocco to win with 0.0 Asian handicap.
