World Cup Betting Tips Today: Predictions & Best Bets for July 9th

There's a World Cup semi-final spot up for grabs on Thursday with France and Morocco set to clash at the Gillette Stadium. So far, no one can stop France who have won all five of their matches, while Morocco's unbeaten record will be heavily tested after comfortably beating Canada last time out.

So, will Didier Deschamps' side march on or will Morocco secure back-to-back World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history?

Our World Cup tipster Nathan Joyes provides his two best bets for the encounter. Read his World Cup tips below.

France vs Morocco

Arguably the most exciting quarter-final, France and Morocco looks set to deliver a World Cup classic. France have been flawless from the first whistle. Five wins, three clean sheets and 14 goals - Didier Deschamps' side are favourites for a reason. All the talk is around Kylian Mbappe who is responsible for half of those goals, who continues to hunt down Lionel Messi for the golden boot.

France are heavy favourites to win this match but at 4/7, the price isn't appealing, and my first selection very much focuses around the man of the hour. Mbappe is playing some of his best football - ever - for his country this summer and it's always good to side with a goalscorer bet when they are responsible from 12 yards.

Mbappe was once again on the scoresheet against Paraguay, and although a shade-odds on to do the same vs Morocco, it's difficult to argue with the price. Morocco's defence, although yet to suffer defeat at this World Cup, have had moments where they have lacked concentration - and that could be what undoes them in this match.

They may have beaten Canada 3-0 in the last round, but if they defend like they did in the first 45 minutes against a vastly superior opponent, France - and Mbappe - will punish them. Morocco have only kept two clean sheets so far, and with Mbappe almost unstoppable, it feels wrong to abandon him at this stage of the competition when he may have even more to give.

With that in mind, I'm sticking up Kylian Mbappe to score at 5/6 with BetMGM.

However, I'm not done just yet. Morocco will happily head into this match as underdogs. They were against the Netherlands and Brazil yet held and scored against both. At times, they have been guilty of missing several opportunities in front of goal and could have killed games off quicker, but the Atlas Lions still head into this match having scored nine goals.

Ismael Saibari may be responsible for the three of those, but the new Bayern man will be unlikely to play due to injury. However, others stepped up in his absence against Canada and fired three goals in the second half.

Morocco attack with purpose, power and intensity and they will make the French suffer at periods during this match. This is an environment they are comfortable in, and there's no doubt a plan b ready to be executed with Saibari on the sidelines.

And while the French may well have kept three clean sheets to date, both Norway and Senegal found a way past them, two nations that Morocco would believe they are at least on par with. Sweden, Iraq and Paraguay do not have the same firepower as the Moroccans.

So, instead of sticking up France at 4/7 to win the match, there's certainly value backing the Africans to have their moment at a much bigger price.

I'm also recommending to back both teams to score yes at 19/20 with BetMGM.

Betting Tips

France vs Morocco: Kylian Mbappe to score at 5/6

France vs Morocco: Both teams to score at 19/20