Morocco vs Norway Predictions - Goals expected in friendly ahead of World Cup

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

John Eastwood 1 hour ago

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Morocco and Norway boast strong attacking lineups but shaky defenses.
Both teams have scored in most recent matches and often concede.
Prediction: Both teams to score in this final World Cup warm-up.

Norway's Martin Odegaard and Erling Braut Haland (Getty Images)

Morocco vs Norway Predictions

This is the final game for both sides ahead of their FIFA World Cup openers. I expect an exciting, open game that proudces goals at both ends.

Morocco vs Norway Predictions
Head to Head
Morocco Form
Norway Form
Morocco vs Norway Predicted Lineups

Morocco have scored in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Morocco have conceded in two of their last five friendlies.
Norway have scored in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Norway have conceded in six of their last eight matches in all competitions.

Head to Head

These two have only met once previously and that took place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The game ended 2-2.

Morocco Form

Morocco are among 10 teams set to fly Africa’s flag at the World Cup and are one of the teams from the continent with the quality to hold their own in North America. They have built a reputation on the international stage in recent years, highlighted by a semi-final run in the 2022 tournament.

The Atlas Lions are showing some good form in the build-up to the Mundial and are unbeaten in their last 10 matches. Mohamed Ouahbi’s team have picked up some one-sided results in their recent friendlies, like the 5-0 victory over Burundi and the 4-0 triumph over Madagascar in their previous fixture.

Those two results highlight the attacking quality of Morocco, who have scored in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in two of their last four friendlies.

Norway Form

Norwegian football has been on the rise in recent years, and they are generally considered one of the most exciting teams to watch at the World Cup. They had a 100% record in the qualifiers and are playing with confidence at the moment.

Blessed with a world-class forward line which includes Erling Haaland, Alexander Sorloth and Martin Odegaard, Norway have been quite prolific lately. Among their recent results is a 4-1 victory over Italy during the World Cup qualifiers, while they also beat Sweden 3-1 in a friendly on Monday.

While Norway's attacking quality usually sees them playing on the front foot, they will need to tighten up at the back a little. Stale Solbakken’s team have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last eight matches in all competitions.

Morocco vs Norway Predicted Lineups

Morocco (4-2-3-1): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Nayef Aguerd, Annas Salah-Eddine; Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi; Chemsdine Talbi, Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari; Ayoub El Kaabi.

This is Morocco’s final friendly before the big kick-off, and the manager is likely to put out a semblance of the team likely to start against Brazil. Goalkeeper Bounou is expected to feature, having sat out the win over Madagascar, while the likes of Diaz, El Kaabi and Ounahi could also earn a start after coming off the bench.

Norway (4-4-2): Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Leo Ostigard, David Moller Wolf; Antonio Musa, Sander Berge, Martin Odergaard, Antonio Musa; Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland.

Haaland sat out the win over Sweden and is expected to feature in this one. Captain Odergaard is also set to return to the team, having earned extended time off after playing for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final.

Verdict

Morocco v Norway

Morocco and Norway are blessed with attacking quality and generally prefer to play on the front foot. With neither defence quite convincing at the moment, I fancy both teams to score here.

Yes

Both Teams to Score

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