Spain haven't gone beyond the last 16 of a World Cup since winning the 2010 tournament in South Africa but the layers expect Luis Enrique's side to break that trend when they take on Morocco in Education City Stadium on Wednesday.
La Furia Roja are warm 1/2 favourites with Betfred to see off a well-organised and spirited Morroco side in 90 minutes but the Africans will fancy their chances of causing the 13/2 upset.
Morocco look a completely different team to the one that was dumped out of last year's African Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage by Egypt and the subsequent decision to bring in Walid Regragui as head coach has lifted the mood immeasurably. Morocco fully deserved top spot in Group F and were terrific value for their 2-0 win over Belgium.
The likes of Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui have been major influences on a side that is both well-drilled and highly motivated but they have quality all over the pitch and have arguably shown as much organisation and unity as any side in the competition so far.
Spain will struggle to justify those 1/2 odds if they don't impropve on that distinctly average performance against Japan, for all that the Japanese side have proved much more capable than many had imagined coming into this tournament.
Spain have looked pretty clinical in front of goal so far in this tournament but recent history suggests that their finishing ability tends to crumble under the pressure of a knockout fixture. They undoubtedly have a good group of attacking talent but striker Alvaro Morata isn't one of the elite strikers in world football and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise should Enrique's side fall just short when it matters most once again.
Morocco vs Spain Prediction
This looks a potential banana skin for favourite backers because Morocco have developed into a much better side in this tournament, so far anyway, than their pre tournament form had suggested.
Spain struggled to win games in the knockout stages of last summer's Euros, indeed all three knockout ties went to extra time, and that might just be the angle here. The draw at 16/5 (90 mins only) is a sound option but there is more security in the Draw/Morocco double result given the Africans have enough about them to nick this should the opportunity arise.
Morocco vs Spain prediction: Draw/Morocco (Double Chance) in 90 minutes - 6/4
Morocco vs Spain Odds with Betfred
- Morocco - 13/2
- Draw - 16/5
- Spain - 1/2
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