Morocco vs Spain prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for World Cup 2022 Round of 16 match

A shock 2-1 defeat to Japan in their final World Cup group-stage match may have knocked Spain's confidence, but they will be looking to get back on track to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time since they won it in 2010. 

In order to achieve that, though, they will first have to get the better of surprise package Morocco, who topped Group F with ease after defeating world No.2-ranked side Belgium 2-0.

The North Africans will be desperate to continue their fairytale 2022 journey, especially as they have never previously reached the quarterfinal.

Luis Enrique's Spain side will have to be at their best to progress here. 

MORE: Morocco vs Spain World Cup time, live stream, TV channel, lineups

Morocco vs Spain betting odds

Unsurprisingly, Spain come into this knockout clash as the substantial favourites, according to the bookmakers.

With their nine goals scored across the group stage — the joint-most of any side with England — the Europeans head into this clash bang in form in an attacking sense, though their defeat to Japan last time out did highlight their defensive vulnerabilities.

As such, the draw could offer great value at +275. Remember that the outright outcomes only carry across the 90 minutes of regulation-time action. 

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).

A reminder: All moneyline bets in soccer are for regulation time only, regardless of competition. If the match requires a winner and goes to extra-time or penalties, a moneyline bet of a regulation draw is successful and the rest of play does not factor in.

Morocco vs Spain: 3 things to know

Morocco vs Spain team news

Coach Walid Regragui confirmed no fresh injuries following Morocco's 2-1 win over Canada, with key duo Yassine Bounou and Achraf Hakimi passed fit, and he could stick with an unchanged team.

Spain's shock loss to Japan could force a rethink for Enrique, with Aymeric Laporte one option to return at the back, and Jordi Alba and Marco Asensio also in line for a recall.

MORE: Full injury tracker for all 32 teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Morocco vs Spain key stats

• This will be the second World Cup meeting between Morocco and Spain. The first, in 2018 at the group stage, twice saw the African side lead before the match finished 2-2.
• Spain will be looking to get past the Round of 16 stage for the first time since 2010, when they won the tournament.
• Spain have lost just one of their five previous World Cup meetings with African opposition. 

Morocco vs Spain match facts

• Date: Tuesday, December 6
• Kickoff Time: 10:00 a.m. ET / 15:00 p.m. GMT / 02:00 a.m. AEDT (Wed, Dec. 7)
• Location: Education City Stadium
• Official: Fernando Rapallini (Argentina)

Match officials designations @FIFAWorldCup - Round of 16 - 6 December - Education City Stadium

MAR🇲🇦🆚ESP🇪🇸

Referee: Fernando RAPALLINI 🇦🇷
AR 1: Juan Pablo BELATTI 🇦🇷
AR 2: Diego BONFA🇦🇷
4th: Raphael CLAUS 🇧🇷

1/2 pic.twitter.com/0hglgzmHr3

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) December 4, 2022

Morocco vs Spain prediction

• Moneyline lean: Spain to win (-175)
• Against the spread lean: Spain -0.5 (-200)
• Score prediction: Morocco 1 Spain 2

Given the fact that Morocco managed to top their group, we fancy this clash to be closer than a lot of people may be expecting. 

The African nation have already shown their class in their relatively easy 2-0 upset victory over Belgium at this tournament, and they enter here with a clean bill of health again. 

There's also the question of experience in this Spain squad. Their midfield duo of Gavi and Pedri are extremely talented but are relatively untested for the national team in high-pressure matches like these and as a result, could struggle against an aggressive pressing Morocco side.

Sofyan Amrabat has been particulalrly strong in the African side's midfield, and could prove a real handful in the middle of the park again here.

That said, there's still a sizeable gulf in quality between these two sides and even though we expect Morocco to prove tough to break down, we can still see Spain running out as narrow winners in regular time. 

MORE: Spain's route to 2022 World Cup final: Potential knockout games for La Roja

Morocco vs Spain: Best bet

• Pick: Both teams to score
• Odds: +120 (BetMGM)

These two teams both have one thing in common: star power.

Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal and Achraf Hakimi all offer Morocco fantastic attacking ability, so it's difficult to not see them get on the scoresheet again here. Overall, they've found the net in six of their last eight outings as well. 

As for Spain, their talent knows no bounds, with a plethora of star quality scattered across the pitch. 

Alvaro Morata remains their key man, netting three goals in just 126 minutes of action at the 2022 World Cup. That average of one goal per 42 minutes could be added to again here. 

Lastly, Spain have seen their last two World Cup matches witness both teams scoring, as well as their final pre-tournament friendly vs. Jordan, whilst Morocco's last outing at the World Cup also saw both teams score, 2-1 against Canada. 

Morocco vs Spain flier bet

• Pick: Tie at half time, Spain at fulltime 
• Odds: +300 (BetMGM)

Just like the other knockout matches we've seen so far at the 2022 World Cup, this clash between Morocco and Spain should prove to be another tight encounter, especially throughout the first half. 

Over half of the matches at this tournament have now remained goalless at half time and we could see that occurring again here. 

For context, these two sides have so far combined to concede just one first-half goal through six outings, while Morocco surprised many to top their group by only conceding one goal.

If this match ends up playing out as we think it will, it be tight at first and then open up more in the second half when, given Spain's depth in quality off the bench, we expect the 2010 winners to show their quality when it matters most.

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Morocco vs Spain live stream, TV channel