Croatia v Morocco World Cup predictions: Africans could be fresher outfit

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Croatia v Morocco in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday

Where to watch

BBC One, 3pm Saturday

Croatia v Morocco World Cup match predictions

Morocco to finish third
2pts 11-10 general

Both teams may have to make changes for this one but Morocco showed against France that they still have the energy for one last hurrah, while Croatia looked spent against Argentina. The longer the game goes on could suit the Africans and it is worth supporting them to get the job done, even if the game goes into extra-time.

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Match preview

Croatia and Morocco are about to line up for the match that no one wanted to play in but, seeing as they are here now, we should expect both to give it their all and try to claim third spot at the World Cup.

Effort levels should be high. They were in 1998 when Croatia fielded a full-strength side to beat the Netherlands in their first World Cup having been beaten by France in the semis and the immense pride that has been evident in all sports since the young nation was created suggests it will be full steam ahead.

And there should be little difference for Morocco after they became the first African team to reach the last four.

After their last-four disappointment, third spot would be something to crow about and seen as a great achievement by their wonderful support.

So they should both want it and then it comes down to who is more likely to deliver and that points to a successful day for Walid Regragui's side.

It seems that they have more to offer, even though a defence that conceded their first tournament goal scored by an opponent when France's Theo Hernandez scored in Wednesday's semi-final will need a reshuffle.

Mainstays Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui are all struggling, but the Croatians are having to patch themselves up too and could miss defender Josko Gvardiol who would get in many people's team of the tournament.

But at least there was some energy about their performance against France.

Having fallen behind to an early goal, they had a right go and were unfortunate to be put out by a goal on the break when there seemed a strong chance that they could get an equaliser.

Croatia, meanwhile, looked finished against Argentina after they had secured penalty successes over Japan and Brazil. And it has to be remembered that they haven't really offered much in the final third throughout the tournament.

These teams drew a blank when they played in the first match of Group F and that is one of three goalless sets of 90 minutes that Zlatko Dalic's team have been involved in.

Four of their six goals from open play came against Canada.

Their battling qualities can never be doubted but with cases packed and trips home to look forward to, it could be difficult for Croatia to muster the required energy.

The longer the game goes on, the tougher it could get, so keep extra-time and penalties onside and back Morocco to cap a great tournament with a bronze medal.

Key stat

Croatia have failed to score inside 90 minutes in four of their six matches at the World Cup.

Team news

Croatia
Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is doubtful and star defender Josko Gvardiol may be rested after picking up a foot injury.

Morocco
Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui are all struggling after being withdrawn for the 2-0 semi-final defeat to France. Romain Saiss is definitely out.

Probable teams

Croatia (4-3-3) Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Sutalo, Sosa; Modric, Jakic, Kovacic; Vlasic, Kramaric, Perisic

Morocco (4-3-3) Bounou; Hakimi, El-Yamiq, Dari, Attiyat-Allah; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal

Inside info

Croatia

Top scorer in probable team Ivan Perisic
Star player Luka Modric
Penalty taker Luka Modric
Assist ace Ivan Perisic
Set-piece aerial threat Dejan Lovren
Card magnet Mateo Kovacic

Morocco

Top scorer in probable team Hakim Ziyech
Star player Achraf Hakimi
Penalty taker Sofiane Boufal
Assist ace Achraf Hakimi
Set-piece aerial threat Youssef En-Nesyri
Card magnet Sofyan Amrabat