Alright, listen up, because Thursday, July 9, is gonna be absolutely wild. We've got just ONE game on the World Cup schedule, but it's a huge one: France versus Morocco in the quarterfinal. This isn't just any match; it's a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semifinal, and you know Morocco's still fuming from that 2-0 loss. France, the 2022 runners-up, are looking absolutely dominant, trying to punch their ticket to a third straight final. But Morocco? They're coming to spring another upset, and you know they want that revenge.
This Ain't Your Daddy's 2022 Semifinal
Remember that 2022 semifinal? Theo Hernandez got France an early lead, and Randal Kolo Muani sealed the deal for that 2-0 victory. France made it look easy, but Morocco's a different beast this time around. While France is out here trying to make history with another final appearance, Morocco is absolutely hungry for an upset, gunning for some serious payback. With only this one massive game on the slate, the SportsLine experts have already dropped their same-game parlay picks, weighing in from every angle. If you've been following their World Cup betting advice, you already know they've been hitting it big. This specific parlay, France-Morocco Under 2.5 goals, Both teams to score - No, and Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer, is sitting at a sweet +474 at FanDuel.Defense Holds The Key, But Mbappe's The Lock
Let's break down why these experts are seeing things this way. First up, the "Under 2.5 goals" call. France, yeah, they were scoring three or more goals in every match before they scraped out a 1-0 win against Paraguay. But then you look at Morocco: they've only let in more than one goal in just *one* match in this entire World Cup. They had that early wobble in 2022, but they got it together fast. They're way more dynamic in attack now, but the feeling is this is gonna be a low-scoring slugfest. France has only conceded twice in the tournament, and these experts think Morocco can genuinely keep those French attackers quiet. That leads directly into the "Both teams to score - No" prediction. Forget all the attacking fireworks these guys have; we're talking about two incredibly disciplined defensive units here. France only managed one goal in their last game, and Morocco straight-up blanked Canada in their Round of 16 clash. It just doesn't look like both sides are going to find the back of the net in this one. Adding to Morocco's challenge, they're without their rising star Ismael Saibari, which definitely hurts their scoring chances. But here's the kicker: Kylian Mbappe. The experts feel he's going to be the absolute difference-maker. He's probably going to be shadowed by his former PSG teammate, Achraf Hakimi, which is gonna be a wild matchup to watch. But Mbappe moves all over the field, he's done it all World Cup, and let's not forget, he's France's primary penalty taker. He's the best bet to score, and ultimately, France is expected to pull out the win in this quarterfinal. So, get ready to glue yourself to the screen this Thursday, July 9. Will France keep their dominant run going for a third straight final, or will Morocco finally get their revenge and spring another massive upset? The experts have laid out their bets, and you know who they're counting on to make the magic happen. Don't miss it!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.