Belgium vs Morocco Prediction: Morocco at the verge of missing out on knockout stage

With Sunday's match against Group F foes Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium, Belgium will look to get at least one step closer to the World Cup quarterfinals. After edging Canada in their opener, the Red Devils will take on the Atlas Lions, who kept Croatia scoreless in their World Cup opener.

Belgium Starting 11 (3-5-2): Courtois, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Dendoncker, Witsel, Tielemans, Castagne, De Bruyne, Carrasco, Hazard, Batshuayi.

Morocco Starting 11 (4-3-3): Bono, Aguerd, Saiss, Hakimi, Mazraoui,Amrabat, Ounahi, Amallah, Ziyech, Boufal, En Nesyri.

Last Five Matches: WLLWW

FIFA World Ranking: 2nd

In the match against Canada, Belgium's manager Roberto Martnez fielded the team's oldest World Cup starting XI with an average age of 30 years and 181 days since June 1998. Their opponents had 22 shots on goal, but the 2018 World Cup runner-ups were able to weather the storm and win 1-0. However, the fact that they have already won eight consecutive World Cup group-stage games like Brazil does little to hide their lackluster start. The Red Devils were spared another major upset like those of Argentina and Germany. As a result, they currently sit atop Group F. Michy Batshuayi, who scored the winning goal, conceded afterward that it was "not the greatest from Belgium." Still, he was certain his team would improve as the tournament progressed. This is especially true given that they will be facing more experienced teams beginning with Morocco.

Last Five Matches: DWDWW

FIFA World Ranking: 22nd

Morocco, with many fans in Qatar thanks to the big North African diaspora in the Middle East, gave it their all against Croatia but ultimately came up short, scoring zero goals. Most of the spectators, however, left feeling dissatisfied after witnessing the tournament's third goalless draw, which is more than the 2018 World Cup or the 2020 Euro Championships. The Atlas Lions, who haven't won a World Cup game since June 1998 after tying twice and losing twice, might use the morale boost, especially given they won the most recent head-to-head matchup (4-1 in Brussels in 2008). After securing a draw against 2018 runners-up Croatia, they have won four of their last six matches and drawn two of their last six; thus, they enter this encounter in good form.

In what could be their last chance under Roberto Martinez, the Belgians hope to improve their third-place performance at the 2018 World Cup. However, before they can do so, they must get past Morocco, a team they beat 1-0 at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. On the Morocco side, the former manager of Qatari club Al-Duhail faces another match in which his team will likely settle for a draw before facing a possibly crucial match against Canada four days later.

Prediction: After a lackluster start to the World Cup, surely a Belgium team that still features some elite players will put up a better show on Sunday. Despite being restricted by a competent Morocco side, they can rely on a moment or two of individual brilliance to secure their second straight win and begin thinking about the knockout rounds. Therefore, we tip Belgium to win this match.

• Belgium to Win
• Total Under 2.5
• Correct Score 2-0

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