France can wear down surprise package Morocco

History has been made throughout this World Cup but not more impressively so than by Morocco, who are the first African team to make the semi-finals.

Morocco's defensive quality has caught everyone's eye

They now come up against the defending champions, as France look to create some World Cup history of their own.

Didier Deschamps’ men are looking to become the first team since Brazil, in 1958 and 1962, to win back-to-back World Cups and Les Bleus are now the 2.160 (+116)* favourites to lift the trophy.

Morocco, though, have already knocked out Spain and Portugal en route to the last four and it’s their defensive quality that has really caught everyone’s eye.

The Atlas Lions have conceded just one goal in five games in the tournament and that was an own goal against Canada, but their backline has impressed over a longer period of time. Just two goals have been scored against Morocco in their last 10 internationals and their first-choice goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has shone in this World Cup.

However, they are now going up against arguably the strongest attacking force in the competition, with the French scoring 11 goals in their five games to date.

The two teams have met on eleven previous occasions, with Morocco’s only win dating back to their very first meeting in 1963. The last meeting was in 2007, which finished 2-2 at the Stade de France.

France vs. Morocco team news

France are expected to name an unchanged starting line-up to the side that faced England, with no reports of any injury issues following their quarter-final win.

Romain Saïss may still be fit enough to play

Dayot Upamecano struggled to contain Harry Kane on Saturday evening, but the Bayern Munich centre back is expected to get the nod ahead of Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.

Morocco have a number of concerns to deal with ahead of the semi-final, with Walid Cheddira definitely missing through suspension after his red card in the win over Portugal.

Romain Saïss was stretchered off in the second half of the quarter-final due to a hamstring injury, but the captain was later seen standing in the technical area and is in a race against time to prove his fitness.

Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech was also substituted against Portugal, but the winger is expected to start in Wednesday’s semi-final.

France vs. Morocco predictions

After a phenomenal effort to get to the last four, this looks like a step too far for the African nation, as they look to stop the man many people now believe is the best player in the world.

Even though he wasn’t at his best against England, Mbappé still showed glimpses of what he is capable of and his pace is likely to cause Morocco all sorts of problems.

The PSG ace will also have his sights set on winning the Golden Boot and you can expect the 23-year-old to be peppering shots on the keeper Bounou. Mbappé can be backed at 2.470 (+147)* to score at anytime during the 90 minutes. France are strong favourites at 1.531 (-188)* while Morocco are priced at 7.630 (+663)* to beat the reigning champions. 

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