Heading into this tournament, Scotland scored four goals in two games in a row for the first time since 1928. They also won their opening game against Haiti. Right, moving on, because it’s not all good!
Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army lost two games in March without scoring a goal, then also went 1-0 down to Curacao at Hampden, only overcoming the minnows after they went a man down. Considering Billy Gilmour’s injury, the other niggles in the camp, and the fact that beating Haiti 1-0, matching the world number 75’s 1.05xg doesn’t exactly blow my kilt up.
You can see big improvements are needed from the boys if this World Cup dream is to stay alive. All is not lost, at least from a betting point of view, and I have three bets to get stuck into for Friday’s game.
Scotland v Morocco: Latest Odds
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Scotland v Morocco World Cup Betting Tips: Under (Performing)
| Market | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Total Goals | Under 3.5 | 2/9 |
| Match Result | Morocco to Win | 8/11 |
| Total Corners | Under 8.5 | 1/1 |
| Total Bet Builder Odds with Betfred | 3.33/1 |
Odds correct at 10:00 BST on 16/06/26. Odds subject to change.
Haiti will lose to Brazil and Morocco, that’s fine, but a strong showing from Scotland and hopefully at least a point needs to be on the cards against Morocco. That said, I’ve got to bet with my head, not my heart.
Haiti managed more possession and more shots than Scotland the other day. That’s worrying. Morocco meanwhile scored first against Brazil, took a 1-1 draw, and had 49% possession as well as a bigger xG. That has all gone into my thinking.
Back Under 3.5 Goals
It’s the xG (expected goals) stats that are bothering me. It’s so low on both sides, a lot of it being down to the heat in the States and the constant stoppages for ad breaks. Sorry! I meant hydration breaks. Dafty.
First and foremost, Scotland need to defend well. Even if they do, they don’t look too dynamic going forward unfortunately, so given the lack of urgency shown by both sides in the final third, or at least the lack of ultimate output in front of goal, under 3.5 looks safe.
If anyone is going to break the deadlock at a crucial time, it looks like being Morocco, which would make them heavy favourites to win.
Back Morocco to Win
Morocco’s draw with Brazil was impressive, but not wholly unexpected. They won the AFCON, and yes, it was a controversially overturned result, but they still made the final. Going toe-to-toe with Brazil means they feel they can now win the group, and that means motivation is very high within a squad ranked seventh in the world.
Scotland fans are having a great time, but the parties are slightly masking how weak the team truly is at world level. They can make the next round via third place, but they look likely to get hee-haw from this game unfortunately. A win for the favourites is one of my Scotland v Morocco betting tips.
Back Under 8.5 Corners
There were eight corners in the Brazil v Morocco match, just two earned by the Atlas Lions, and seven in Scotland’s last game, only three of which they won. The ‘unders’ are taking over at this tournament, and it’s easy to see little expansive wide play in this game. The result should be few corners once again in the expected 28° heat in Boston on Friday.
And that’ll do it. Accepting World Cup odds of over 3/1 isn’t a bad way to play this game, taking emotion out of it. Now you can back the bet builder, pour yourself a wee dram for the game, and hope I’m wrong!
