Morocco go face Gabon for Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game, with kick-off set for 15:00 on Friday 25 September.
Morocco were defeated in their last game. Dem suffer 2-0 World Cup loss against France at Gillette Stadium. Mohamed Ouahbi men enjoy 51% possession and one shot on target.
Gabon were defeated in their previous game, losing to Ivory Coast by 3-2 scoreline at Stade de Marrakech in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Panthers had just 32% of the ball and recorded three shots on goal, while Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga were both on target.
Morocco don beat Gabon for the last two head-to-head encounters. The most recent triumph see dem win 5-1 away after 4-1 home success. We don see Morocco claim two wins in the past 3 H2H games, with one draw also take place.
Morocco get 8 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw, averaging 2.3 goals from 4.1 shots on goal and 12.5 attempts. Morocco don get 56.5% possession, 546.9 passes and 5.6 corners per game. On average, dem concede 1.0 goals from 2.9 shots on goal and 9.2 attempts, while their opponents get 4.3 corners. Top goalscorer Ismael Saibari don find the net 4 times, with Soufiane Rahimi, Azzedine Ounahi and Brahim Diaz scoring 2 each. Leading assistor na Brahim Diaz with 4, while goalie Yassine Bounou don record 2 clean sheets.
Gabon don lose all of their past 3 matches, with average of 5.0 shots on goal, 12.3 attempts and 1.3 goals. Thierry Mouyouma side average 48.7% possession, 376.7 passes, 3.7 corners taken and 7.0 corners against them, while 2.3 goals don concede from 14.7 attempts and 4.3 shots on goal. Top scorers na Guelor Kanga, Denis Bouanga, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Moucketou-Moussounda, with 1 goal apiece.
Morocco confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Yassine Bounou (GK), Ali Maamar, Issa Diop, Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Gessime Yassine, Azzedine Ounahi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Yassir Zabiri. Gabon confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Jean-Noel Amonome (GK), Anthony Oyono, Jonathan Do Marcolino, Urie-Michel Mboula, Jacques Ekomie, Andre Poko, Ibrahim Didier Ndong, Guelor Kanga, Shavy Babicka, Rody Junior Effaghe, Denis Bouanga.
Backing Gabon at +1.75 allow us to divide Asian Handicap stake between +1.5 and +2.0. The away team fit stay close to Morocco and we happy to take betting price of -105.
Latest betting odds imply say our pick get 51.3% prospect of winning. However, our tipsters in-depth research find say actual probability between 55-60%. So dem regard am as value wager.
We don pick out correct score of 1-0 being landed by Morocco. You can secure odds of +540. Our same-game multi na Gabon on the Asian Handicap at +1.75, BTTS No and also two or less goals scored in the match.
Current odds suggest say Morocco get 89% probability of winning this Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter. This dey reflected in say dem be huge -833 favourites to triumph with bookies. Gabon be regarded as extremely unlikely winner at +1700. Half-Time Result route draw dey available at +220. Alternatively, Morocco can be backed at -227 and Gabon dey on offer at +1100. Total Goals market reveal say Over 2.5 Goals be current betting favourite. Both Teams to Score betting always popular and No option on BTTS market dey available at -222.
Moroccan Football Federation don call up Villarreal forward Ilias Akhomach, a move wey raise plenty questions after federation decline to reveal which player go make way for am.
Spanish newspaper AS report on Tuesday evening say all signs point to Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz being the man dropped, following severe physical problems he don endure recently. Same outlet reveal on Monday say Diaz play him last matches while suffering from severe pain. That fit explain him absence from Morocco squad during current international break. No official confirmation don arrive so far.
Even so, indications suggest say Real Madrid player go sit out Morocco matches against Gabon and Lesotho, then against Ghana in anticipated friendly, given him need to rest and recover.
Akhomach, by contrast, earn fresh opportunity with Morocco after coach Mohamed Ouahbi decide to call up Villarreal forward. Born outside Morocco, specifically in Pierola in Spanish city of Barcelona, he ultimately choose to represent country of him origins for international level. The 22-year-old don make 13 appearances for Morocco shirt so far. He still dey search for him first international goal.
Jose Mourinho don make no secret of how much he rely on Diaz since start of current season. Through him words and him decisions, manager don turn Moroccan into important element on right flank, and Diaz don repay that trust with strong performances.
Across him four seasons at Real Madrid, Diaz look better placed than ever to cement him spot as indispensable starter. Him current physical problems fit temporarily halt that momentum. Decision to leave him out of this international break fit work in him favour. E hand him rest he need to recover and return to pitch as soon as possible.
