World Cup 2022: Odds and Predictions for Tuesday 2nd-Round Matches
The round of 16 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup wraps up Tuesday with two intriguing matchups featuring what, on the surface, should be fairly obvious winners.
Spain and Portugal would appear to be on course for the quarterfinals, but an unbeaten Morocco side and a durable Switzerland team, respectively, will be looking to cause an upset.
Can the underdogs win out and which storylines bear watching in Qatar?
Find out with this preview of Tuesday's schedule, as well as the current favorites according to oddsmakers.
Odds
Morocco vs. Spain
10 a.m. ET; Streaming on Fox Sports, Telemundo and Peacock
Spain (-185; bet $185 to win $100)
Draw (+310; bet $100 to win $310)
Morocco (+600)
Portugal vs. Switzerland
2 p.m. ET; Streaming on Fox Sports, Telemundo and Peacock
Portugal (-115)
Draw (+250)
Senegal (+340)
Spain is a team with the potential to win the World Cup. The talent and depth are off the charts. There were expectations for them entering the tournament and they rose to the occasion, defeating Costa Rica 7-0 in the first match of Group E play.
Then came a 1-1 draw with Germany, followed by a 2-1 loss to Japan and suddenly, there was a real question about the team's ability to realistically contend.
Things won't get any easier Tuesday in their round-of-16 match with Morocco.
The Atlas Lions went unbeaten in Group F en route to finishing in first place. They tied England and the Netherlands for the most points in group play (seven) and advanced to the knockout round for only the second time.
A win Tuesday would not only send them to the quarterfinals, but it would also mark the furthest the team has gone in the World Cup.
Morocco has remained unbeaten in eight consecutive games and conceded only two goals during that stretch, making them both incredibly dominant yet also underrated.
Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech is the most prominent name in the squad, but Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri is worth keeping an eye on as the team attempts to score a major upset.
Despite Morocco's flawless record in the tournament, it would be a huge surprise if it defeated the stars on the Spain roster.
Gavi, Pedri, Álvaro Morata and Ansu Fati should prove to be the difference and ensure La Roja emerge victorious.
However, lofty goals, increased scrutiny and a Morocco team that has impressed throughout this World Cup will lead to a stunning outcome at the Education City Stadium in Qatar.
Prediction: Morocco defeats Spain, 2-1
There is no "I" in team, but there is a Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal locker room and that may be enough to generate the type of turmoil to the country in this World Cup.
The 37-year-old earned the ire of head coach Fernando Santos after he delivered an outburst in response to being substituted midway through the second half of a shocking defeat at the hands of South Korea.
Santos voiced his displeasure with his star player for his actions after the game.
"I saw the images, and I didn’t like it at all, I really didn’t like it at all," he said. "From then on, everything is finished, these matters are resolved at home, and everyone is focused on tomorrow’s match."
Ronaldo has become the first player to score in five men's World Cups at this tournament, but frustration likely boiled over as Portugal headed toward a 2-1 defeat against South Korea.
However, this is a distraction Switzerland will look to take advantage of.
The underdog team has proved its grittiness, defeating Cameroon and Serbia while hanging tough with Brazil in Group G. A solid midfield and backline will be tough for Portugal to overcome.
That could prove to be the difference in another massive upset, with Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka being a player to watch for the Swiss.
Big names come up big in high-profile spots, though, and Ronaldo is one of them.
One of the best to ever lace a pair of boots, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star will prove the difference Tuesday and fire Portugal into the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Portugal narrowly wins, 1-0
