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Croatia vs. Morocco World Cup Odds, Picks, Predictions: Expect Modric Magic in Last Dance

Anthony Wootton

Last Updated: December 17, 2022 2:42 AM EST • 2 min 40 sec read.

Luka Modric of Croatia plays against Julian Álvarez of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2022, Semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia on Dec. 13, 2022 at Lusail Stadium in Al Daayen, Qatar.
Luka Modric of Croatia plays against Julian Álvarez of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2022, Semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia on Dec. 13, 2022 at Lusail Stadium in Al Daayen, Qatar. Photo by Jean Catuffe /DPPI via AFP.

Croatia and Morocco collide for the second time at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, this time in the tournament's third-place game. The two played to a 0-0 draw in their opening match with Croatia restricted to five shots, their fewest ever in a World Cup game. Check out below for our top Croatia-Morocco World Cup picks.

Croatia's team, runners-up at the last World Cup, will play in their second ever third place playoff at the tournament. They beat the Netherlands 2-1 in 1998. Morocco has gone further than any African nation in the competition's history. 

Both sides may struggle to get up for this match, following their crushing defeats in the semi-finals earlier this week. Morocco is banged up at the back, but look for Croatian captain Luka Modric to put on a show, as questions remain about the 37-year-old’s international future. 

Here is our best Croatia vs. Morocco World Cup pick (odds via BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Check out our World Cup best bets and our Argentina vs. France picks for Sunday's match!

Croatia vs. Morocco Game Info

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. ET. 
  • TV: FOX, Telemundo
  • Location: Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar
  • Weather: 73 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, 16-mph winds

Croatia vs. Morocco Odds Analysis

It should be a tight game, even with Morocco’s injury woes. Before the semi-final, Morocco only conceded one goal all tournament, and that was an own goal. Both sides played out a 0-0 draw in their opening match of this World Cup. Croatia kept a clean sheet in all three previous World Cup matches against African sides. Goals could be at a premium, so the best price you’ll get for the Under is -106 via FanDuel. The value is as low as -120 at BetMGM. 

Sportsbooks have Croatia as the favorite, although the value against the spread is not as good as betting straight up. The line is 0.5, and you can get Croatia as high as +127 at Caesars, but if you take the moneyline at BetMGM you can get the Croatians at +138. 

Croatia vs. Morocco Pick

Croatia ML (+138 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

With nothing to play for but pride, don’t expect either team to come out fighting. However, Modric is one of the best athletes to grace the game. The former Ballon d’Or winner won some of the biggest soccer prizes, including the Golden Ball at the last World Cup, three Spanish titles and five Champions League trophies. At 37, this could be his final World Cup match, and he’ll want to go out on a high. 

Morocco’s defense is riddled with injuries, and alongside Modric they’ll face winger Ivan Perisic. Perisic scored six World Cup goals for Croatia, one more would make him their outright top scorer in the competition, surpassing former player Davor Suker.

None of the 19 previous third place play-off matches at the World Cup went to penalties, with only one settled in extra time (France vs. Belgium in 1986). A European nation won this match in each of the last 10 editions of the tournament since Brazil's 2-1 win over Italy in 1978.

Croatia vs. Morocco Best Odds

BetMGM (+138)

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsPointsBet
Croatia MLCroatia MLCroatia MLCroatia MLCroatia ML
+135+130+138+125+130

Croatia kept a clean sheet in all three of its World Cup matches against African sides. As impressive as Morocco is in this tournament, it’s hard to see where its goals come from. There’s a dip in value between Caesars and other books.

We’re backing Croatia SU, so go where the best price is. BetMGM gives you more on your return. Track the movement, as the public may bring the price down with sentimental plays on Modric winning one last time on the big stage. 

Croatia-Morocco pick made 12/16/2022 at 3:09 p.m. ET.

Where to Bet on Croatia vs. Morocco

Here are our best World Cup Betting Sites:

* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

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Written By:
Anthony Wootton
Anthony is an accredited NFL journalist and has been reporting on the league for over a decade, covering the London games for the BBC and other broadcast outlets. He's presented a North American sports show for national radio across the UK, which is now the TransAtlantic Sports Show podcast. Anthony has also produced and presented radio documentaries on football for global audiences. He has years of betting experience, writing NFL tips for some of the industry's biggest sportsbooks. He's a producer of sports content, including Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Champions League, and international soccer. He's a keen follower of sport, and a long-time sufferer of English Championship team, Blackburn Rovers. He's a keen runner and completed a challenge of running every day in 2021, which included a minimum distance of 5km in the rules.