Canada's revenge match against Morocco - Markets position Canada as underdogs

With Canada advancing the farthest it ever has in the World Cup this year, there's little reason why we can't expect the team to continue proving itself to the world.

However, this weekend will bring one of Canada’s toughest matchups of the tournament so far, as they face Morocco in the country’s first ever Round of 16 appearance.

Betting sites like BetVictor are currently favouring Morocco ahead of Saturday's match. BetVictor has Morocco to win with odds of 125, giving the team an implied probability of 55.6%.

On the other side, sportsbooks are showing less confidence in Canada’s chances. BetVictor currently has Canada priced at an implied probability of just 21.1%, making them clear underdogs heading into this weekend's matchup.

Morocco have already proven that they are an elite soccer team. After becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, they have carried that same level of belief into this year’s tournament. 

A group-stage draw against Brazil showed they could compete with one of this year's favourites to win, while their penalty shootout win over the Netherlands added to their growing reputation as one of the most difficult teams to beat. 

A major part of Morocco’s success comes from the strength of their roster. Achraf Hakimi remains one of the best fullbacks in the world and has been a key part of their progression, currently boasting a 95% pass completion rate. Ismael Saibari has also emerged as one of Morocco’s most important attacking pieces, scoring three goals in just four matches.

Defensively, Morocco continues to be one of the most disciplined teams in the tournament. Their controlled mid-block has made them extremely difficult to break down, with well-timed tackles and smart positioning allowing them to bait opponents into crowded areas before winning the ball back.

On the other side, Morocco’s transitional attack has been one of the most entertaining parts of their game. When they break through the press, they move forward quickly, with Brahim Díaz consistently helping drive the ball.

Their balance between defensive structure and attacking threat has earned Morocco respect from soccer fans around the world. As the tournament moves forward, they will rightfully be one of the more worrisome teams to face up against. 

Morocco and Canada faced off against each other last year in the group stage, losing to Morocco 2-1. This was Canada's final group stage match and a painful nail in the coffin that sent the team home early.

This year, however, could be a very different story. Canada look significantly stronger and have already shown they are not the same team from previous tournaments. Their progression to a first-ever Round of 16 appearance is proof of how much they have improved. 

Although, for Canada to win this time, they may need to adjust their game plan to account for Morocco’s current strengths. Canada have been aggressive offensively throughout the tournament, often pressing high and trying to win the ball back near the opponent’s goal. 

Against Morocco, that approach could be much more of a risk. With Morocco’s ability to pass quickly out from the back and launch dangerous counter-attacks, an overly aggressive press could leave too much space behind Canada’s defensive line.

If Canada can shift into more of a controlled mid-block and pick their moments to press, they may have a better chance of limiting Morocco’s transition game. Dropping slightly deeper could also allow Canada to attack more selectively when opportunities open up, rather than leaving themselves exposed in defensive recovery. 

Regardless of the outcome, we anticipate this to be a hard fought match and look forward to Canada showcasing their improvements on the biggest stage of their tournament so far.