World Cup Matchday 8 Preview: November 27

World Cup Matchday 8 Preview: Sunday, November 27

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 continues on Sunday, November 27, with Matchday 8 and four exciting games on the schedule. It’s the second round of the group stage and things are slowly but surely heating up. We’ll see a couple of games from Group F and two more from Group E including the highly anticipated showdown between Spain and Germany, so all of the soccer fans are surely up for a real treat.

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World Cup Matchday 8 Preview: November 27

Japan vs. Costa Rica (-227 Japan ML) (+345 Draw) (+709 Costa Rica ML)

Japan (1-0-0)
Costa Rica (0-1-0)
Kickoff: 5 am EST
Channel: FS1

Japan overcame a one-goal deficit from halftime in the first round of the World Cup to stun Germany 2-1 as a massive +650 underdog. The Samurai Blue netted a couple of goals in the final 15 minutes of the second half, finishing the game with just three shots on target.

They held the ball in possession for only 26 percent of the time, and Japan might have to do a better job in the second round as a firm fave over Costa Rica.

On the other side, the Ticos got dismantled by Spain in the first round, 7-0. They have a lot to prove in a much more favorable matchup against Japan. The Ticos didn’t take a single shot in the first round and will play better in the second, so I’m expecting them to find the net in a must-win clash versus the Samurai Blue.

Costa Rica desperately needs three points to stay alive in the race for the knock-out stage, and Joel Campbell (120 caps, 25 goals) will be the biggest threat to Japan’s goalkeeper. Plays: Costa Rica over 0.5 goals (-105).

Belgium vs. Morocco (+100 Belgium ML) (+240 Draw) (+300 Morocco ML)

Belgium (1-0-0)
Morocco (0-0-1)
Kickoff: 8 am EST
Channel: Fox

While Belgium narrowly defeated Canada 1-0 in the first round of the group phase, Morocco drew against Croatia 0-0. Their second-round clash scheduled for November 27 should be a tight one, so the bookies set -133 odds on the Under 2.5 Goals. Belgium is arguably a better team than Morocco, and I would go with the Red Devils to win at +100 odds.

Frankly, the Red Devils can only play better than they did against Canada. They allowed 21 shots, and Canada missed a penalty kick in the first half. Romelu Lukaku will miss his second straight game due to an injury, but Belgium owns plenty of offensive firepower, while Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans will dominate Morocco in the middle of the park.

Morocco defended well against Croatia and will continue to play with a cautious approach. The Atlas Lions held the ball in possession for 35 percent of the time against Croatia, and we’ll see more of the same when they face off against Belgium. Play: Belgium to Win (+100)

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Croatia vs. Canada (+115 Croatia ML) (+245 Draw) (+260 Canada ML)

Croatia (0-0-1)
Canada (0-1-0)
Kickoff: 11 am EST
Channel: FS1

Canada cannot afford another loss after a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Belgium in the opening round. The Reds missed a penalty kick in the 11th minute of the first half and outshot the Red Devils 21-9 while keeping the ball in possession for 46 percent of the time. They have a few top-notch players in the starting eleven, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some goals when the Reds meet the Blazers at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.

Croatia drew against Morocco 0-0 last Wednesday. Hereof, the Blazers need a win ahead of a tough third-round matchup versus Belgium. The reigning World Cup vice-champions possess plenty of dangerous weapons in the final third, so I would be shocked if they fail to find the back of the net in this game. Canada’s back line is far away from an elite level, and whoever scores first will force the other team to push forward in numbers. An eventual draw would put both teams in a tough situation. Play: Both Teams to Score YES (-114).

Spain vs. Germany (+135 Spain ML) (+260 Draw) (+195 Germany ML)

Spain (1-0-0)
Germany (0-1-0)
Kickoff: 2 pm EST
Channel: FS1

The Red Fury trounced Costa Rica 7-0 this past Wednesday. Five guys found the back of the net once, while Ferran Torres (32 caps, 15 goals) scored a brace. Luis Enrique’s boys kept the ball on their feet for 82 percent of the time and gave up zero shots toward Unai Simon. Sunday brings a much taller task for the Red Fury even though Germany put on a disappointing performance in a 2-1 defeat to Japan in the first round of the World Cup.

Germany has to win this game, especially if Japan defeats Costa Rica on November 27. Hereof, we should see a great battle between a couple of world-class teams at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. The price is not attractive at -164, but I have to look at Both Teams to Score YES in this spot.

Germany will struggle to keep its net intact, and Spain’s defense is vulnerable, especially from set pieces. The Red Fury have yielded six goals over their last eight contests overall. Two of their previous three encounters with Germany ended in a 1-1 tie, and the other one saw Spain routs Germany 6-0. Play: Both Teams to Score YES & Over 2.5 Goals (+100).

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