Portugal vs Ghana tips, odds, betting, preview and teams – Soccer, Football FIFA World Cup 2014

Group G reaches its climax on Thursday as Portugal take on African giants Ghana in a bid to reach the Round of 16. This has probably been the most competitive group so far with no team guaranteed qualification or elimination after two matches. However, both Germany and the United States have four points each and are the most likely to advance. Ghana need a win to have any chance of progressing and so do Portugal but they both know that their fate is not entirely in their hands as a draw in the USA – Germany game will mean both the Portuguese and the Ghanaians are eliminated, no matter their own result.

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For Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal to reach the next round, they face a monumental task. After their poor performance against Germany in their World Cup opener- even before the red card- cumulated into a 4-0 loss, Paulo Bento’s men scored a last-gasp equalizer to claim a 2-2 draw against the US. The Portuguese have that lone point in two games with a damaging goal difference of -4. The Germans have +4, the Americans have +1 and Ghana have -1. For Portugal to qualify, they will need to beat their African opponents by at least four goals and hope Germany beat the US too. That is the easiest way which itself seems like a long shot but then, this is football. Anything can happen on that piece of green called the football field.

Ghana’s task is a little easier as they have offered more in Brazil. The Africans lost to the US, perhaps unfortunately, in their first match and then looked like they were going to defeat three- time World Champions Germany before Miroslav Klose spared the German blushes with his 15th World Cup goal. The goal leaves Klose level with Brazil legend Ronaldo as the highest goal scorers ever at the World Cup. If Ghana can beat Portugal by two goals and Germany defeat the US in the other match, the Africans will progress. Given the way they battled against Germany, the Black Stars of Ghana have every right to be confident that they can do what is required.

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TEAM NEWS

The only worry that Portugal manager Paulo Bento might have is Cristiano Ronaldo’s knee. The Real Madrid forward is still not 100 percent, with several doctors- even within the Portuguese camp- warning the star forward that he is putting his career at risk by playing in the World Cup. Defensively, Portugal have their best defender in Pepe back. The Real Madrid defender is available again after missing the USA match due to suspension.

Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah will have been delighted with the way his team played against Germany and is expected to persist with the same lineup for this make-or mar affair.

Possible Lineups

Portugal (4-3-3): Beto; Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Almeida; Veloso, Moutinho, Meireles; Nani, Postiga, Ronaldo

Ghana (4-2-3-1): Dauda; Asamoah, Boye, Mensah, Afful; Rabiu, Muntari; A. Ayew, Boateng, Atsu; Gyan

PREDICTION

With both teams needing to win to have a chance of qualification, expect an exciting open game. Portugal’s wingers Nani and Ronaldo will particularly enjoy driving at the opponents at pace. I expect a Portugal win, whether or not it will be enough for them to advance is another matter entirely.

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