The final round of matches in World Cup Group C take place on Wednesday night when Morocco clash with Haiti and Scotland take on Brazil.
Group C Update
Brazil and Morocco both have 4 points with Brazil currently boasting the better goal difference. Scotland are third with 3 points and Hiti have yet to get off the mark and can no longer qualify for the knockout rounds.
A reminder that the final round of matches in each group share the same kick off time. Should two or more teams finish equal on points in their group the first criteria used to determine the final standings is the head to head record. The 8 best third placed finishers from the 12 groups will also qualify for the Round of 32.
Morocco vs Haiti (Atlanta)
Morocco
Morocco pretty much assured themselves of a place in the knockout rounds when they edged out Scotland 1-0 in Boston in their second group match. Ismael Saibari needed just 70 seconds to put Morocco in front with his second goal of the tournament, again assisted by Brahim Diaz. Morocco dominated the rest of the first half without adding to their lead but Scotland did threaten on more than one occasion and that early goal proved to be enough.
New Jersey was the venue for Morocco’s opening match against Brazil, they came flying out of the blocks and took a first half lead Ismael Saibari was set up by playmaker Brahim Diaz to give Morocco a deserved lead on 21 minutes. However it was 1-1 by half time and that’s the way it finished.
Haiti:
Haiti’s 3-0 loss to Brazil to Brazil in Philadelphia saw them become the first nation to be eliminated at these finals. They conceded 3 times in the first half and although they kept Brazil out thereafter the writing was on the wall in terms of their participation beyond the group stage.
Haiti performed with credit and largely held their own against Scotland in their opening match in Boston but they conceded in the first half and couldn’t find a way back as Scotland held on to win 1-0.
The Betting:
Morocco are priced at around 1 / 5 to win the game with the draw available at 56/10 and Haiti can be backed at around 14/1.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 11/20 and its 27/20 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Morocco are in with a shout of topping the group and the Diaz – Saibari combination could be too much for an already eliminated Haiti.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Ismael Saibari at 12/10 with Pokerbet
Note, odds are subject to change
Scotland vs Brazil (Miami)
Scotland
Scotland went into their second group match against Morocco in Boston knowing that a point would almost certainly be enough to take them through to the knockout rounds but they came unstuck in conceding after just 70 seconds and there was no further scoring. The Scots were second best for the bulk of the first half but did cause Morocco problems at times without finding aa breakthrough.
Scotland’s 36 year wait for a World Cup Finals victory ended in Boston in their opening match when they edged out Haiti 1-0 and the only goal of the game was a deflected effort from John McGinn on 28 minutes.
Brazil:
Brazil were 3-0 winners over Haiti in their second group match in Philadelphia. All 3 goals came in the first half with Matheus Cunha scoring the first 2 and Vinicius Jr, who had also provided an assist for Cunha added the third just before the half time whistle. The second half was far quieter and there was no further scoring. On the down side Raphinha picked up an injury and will reportedly miss out but Neymar could feature.
Brazil had opened up with a 1-1 draw with Morocco in New Jersey. They looked all at sea in the first quarter of the game, conceded the first goal after 21 minutes and at that time they were fortunate to be only 1-0 down. However they worked their way into the game and Vinicius Junior scored a cracking equalizer on 32 minutes. Chances dried up after that and there was no further scoring.
The Betting:
Scotland are priced at around 66/10 to win the game with the draw available at 37/10 and Brazil can be backed at around 4/10.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 8/11 and its 21/20 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
There is plenty of competition to start up font for Brazil and after his brace against Haiti Matheus Cunha looks set to begin and hopefully add to his tally at some stage.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Matheus Cunha at 21/10 with Pokerbet
Note, odds are subject to change
