On Saturday and Sunday, Round 5: Road to the Finals of the Big Match Predictor comes to a conclusion with the World Cup third-place play-off and the final. You can find key info, including team and player stats, below to help you make your predictions!
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Third-Place Play-Off: Croatia vs Morocco (17/12, 5pm SAST)
Croatia:
- Croatia sit 12th in the FIFA World Rankings and have had the following six results at this World Cup: DWDDDL.
- Their 3-0 loss to Argentina in the semi-finals saw them have 61% possession. They allowed their opponents six "big chances" and produced none themselves.
- Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic has had an outstanding tournament, making 24 saves. His side has allowed 10.0 expected goals but have only conceded six times.
- In their last 13 matches at World Cups, Croatia have lost just twice. They finished third in 1998 after a 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
Morocco:
- The Atlas Lions became the first African team to make a World Cup semi-final. They're ranked 22nd in the world and their results at this tournament have been: DWWDWL.
- Morocco had 61% possession in their 2-0 semi-final defeat to France. Despite that, they only managed 1.00 expected goals from 13 shots.
- Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi has had a superb tournament. He had four shots and three successful dribbles against Les Bleus.
- Morocco's last 45 matches have only seen them beaten three times.
Predicted Result: DRAW. Extra-time could be needed in a tight match.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 1-1 or 2-2.
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Final: France vs Morocco (14/12, 9pm SAST)
France:
- Defending world champions France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the final. They're the fourth-ranked side in the world with the following Qatar 2022 results: WWLWWW.
- France had just 39% of the ball against Morocco but produced 2.10 expected goals and three big chances.
- Key forward Kylian Mbappe made it two matches without a goal in the semi-final. He had three shots, a hand in both goals and six successful dribbles, though.
- Les Bleus have won 11 of their last 13 World Cup matches. They hope to become the first successive winners of this tournament since 1962.
Argentina:
- Lionel Scaloni's team sit third in the FIFA rankings and beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final. Their World Cup results have been: LWWWDW.
- Argentina only had 39% of the ball against Croatia but they created six big chances and put up 2.34 expected goals.
- Lionel Messi has five goals and three assists in this tournament. He has scored in five of his six matches at Qatar 2022.
- Argentina hope to end a 36-year wait to lift the World Cup. They lost in the 1990 and 2014 finals, the latter to Germany in Brazil.
Predicted Result: Argentina WIN. It's hard to see anyone stopping Messi from having his fairy-tale ending.
Recommended Score-line Options: 1-0 or 2-0
