The World Cup semifinals are set with Argentina taking on Croatia, while France plays Morocco. This year’s World Cup has been very unpredictable, as powerful teams like Brazil and Spain are gone, while a team like Morocco is still alive. The first of the semifinal matchups takes place on Tuesday, December 13 with Argentina favored against Croatia. The second semifinal is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14 with France heavily favored against Morocco. Both games begin at 2 pm Eastern and can be seen on FOX. Argentina has been a perennial underachiever in the World Cup but oddsmakers have them favored against Croatia. France is the defending World Cup champion and it is no surprise they are a big favorite to win their match against Morocco on Wednesday.
Let’s look at World Cup semifinal picks.
World Cup Semifinals
Argentina vs. Croatia
Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen, Qatar
TV: FOX
FIFA World Cup Betting Odds
Argentina -131
Croatia +400
Draw +240
Total 2 (over -118)
Team to Advance
Argentina -286
Croatia +240
Argentina vs. Croatia
Did you know that the last five knockout round wins for Croatia have come in extra time or by penalty kicks? The two key players in this match are Lionel Messi and Luka Modric but don’t forget about the keepers, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic. Messi has scored four goals so far in Qatar and will be a marked man by Croatia on Tuesday. Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic said his team has nothing to fear. “We know how much he runs, how much he likes to play with the ball at his feet and the key to our defensive phase will be discipline,” Dalic said to the media, “If we repeat the same thing as against Brazil, which is that we are close (to him), that we stand by the player, we have nothing to fear.”
If this game goes to penalties, and that is definitely possible considering no team goes to extra time more than Croatia, the keepers will be very important. Martinez rose to the occasion in the win against the Netherlands and he may need to be great again if Argentina is to advance.
Argentina vs. Croatia World Cup Picks
The value is all on Croatia in this match. There is no way they should be listed as more than a 2-1 underdog to advance. I’ll take a flyer on Croatia at +240 to advance to the final.
World Cup Semifinals
France vs. Morocco
Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar
TV: FOX
FIFA World Cup Betting Odds
France -189
Morocco +575
Draw +290
Total 2 (over -139)
Team to Advance
France -441
Morocco +355
France vs. Morocco
We know that Morocco has an excellent defense and a goaltender that is playing out of his mind. Morocco gets their toughest test yet against a France team that has a number of players who can break down a defense including Kylian Mbappe. Morocco can’t just focus on Mbappe because France has other scoring options including Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.
Morocco is a great story, but to stay with France they are going to need someone to score. Youssef En-Nesyri would seem to be the man who has to get a goal in this game if Morocco is to have any chance. Many people are talking about the great defense from Morocco and there is no question they have been superb, but no team has more scoring options than France. Morocco needs to put away their chances; something they didn’t do against Spain and Portugal. It also hurts Morocco’s cause that Romain Saiss is dealing with a hamstring injury.
France vs. Morocco World Cup Picks
The win for Morocco against Spain was shocking and there is no question that Morocco plays excellent defense, but Morocco is facing an even bigger test against France. This France team is experienced, has numerous scoring options and they have a superstar in Mbappe. It all adds up to a France win, so I’ll lay the price and take France to win in regulation.
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