This may not be the match you’ll be taking a sick day for, but bettors take heed: this Group B opener for World Cup 2018 is a sleeper that could prove a great way to pad your bankroll for the rest of the tournament. A stingy Moroccan side at plus-money is very attractive.
Both squads will be desperate to take points from this fixture with games against European giants Spain and Portugal looming in their future. The chance to play more than three games in Russia for either outfit could rest on taking three points here.
Bet on the 2018 World Cup here
- Morocco went undefeated through World Cup 2018 qualification.
- Iran is undefeated in its last 18 World Cup qualification games.
- There have been UNDER 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Morocco’s last 10 games.
Sportsbook has favorites Morocco available at +125 with Iran coming back at +280 and the draw sitting at +200. As far as totals are concerned, OVER 2 is priced at +125 while UNDER is sitting at -150.
The Moroccan back line, led by Medhi Benatia, did not concede through their six qualification games. They achieved this defensive perfection against the likes of Gabonese and Arsenal standout striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Côte d’Ivoire frontman Wilfried Zaha.
Iran’s propensity for a direct attack will pose a challenge for Morocco. Dutch Eredivisie scoring champ Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Rubin Kazan’s Sardar Azmoun will be poised to use World Cup 2018 to pad their CVs, as both men are in their early 20s looking for more lucrative roles in European football.
Favorite Bet for Morocco vs Iran
Morocco appears to be the superior squad here, especially at the back. Iran will press, but I believe scoring chances will be at a premium. I’ll be taking the Moroccans at +140 on the moneyline. I will also look to sprinkle something in the anytime goalscorer markets closer to kickoff should some value present itself.
