Uruguay need to step it up in promotion showdown
This Group H showdown has plenty of intrigue in store, as these two rivals dueled back in 2010, when Luis Suarez’s handball denied Ghana a first-ever semi-final berth.
Twelve years later, they will be looking for revenge with a win in their final group game, which would knock the Urus out of the tournament.
So much for the wishful thinking: a look at the odds suggests that a bet on Ghana vs. Uruguay has a much more realistic chance of success. However, in our opinion, these have been rather toothless so far, we are not quite on track with our assessment with the bookmakers.
The Black Stars, on the other hand, have shown efficiency, especially offensively, and have already scored five goals in two games. Currently lying second in the table, a draw would be enough for them to advance to the last 16 for the third time in the association’s history.
Will Uruguay finally become the first South American side without a World Cup goal in over 40 years on Friday night? That would surprise us, as the Africans have already shown some defensive insecurities. All in all, we can confidently predict a lively exchange of blows in Ghana vs. Uruguay.
Ghana – Statistics & current form
One point is enough and you are in the knockout round. A win would be almost historic, as they have only ever won two games in a row at the finals.
Another goal could also set an African record of eight consecutive World Cup matches with at least one goal scored. So things are going well at the moment, yet all the odds are stacked against the 2010 quarter-finalists in the Ghana vs Uruguay clash.
Defensive as a big weak point
Even though the offensive has been convincing so far, scoring five goals in two games, one cannot deny a fundamental defensive vulnerability. They have already scored five times at the finals and never conceded at the Africa Cup last spring.
However, a few weeks ago they defeated Switzerland 2-0 in a test match, a team that is quite comparable to their upcoming opponents. So one should not paint the devil on the wall. In our opinion, the available odds favour a bet on the double chance 1X for Ghana vs. Uruguay.
After all, unlike their opponents, the Black Stars were able to pick up a win against South Korea and they also scored against Portugal (Cavani and Co. failed to do so either).
Predicted Ghana line-up:
Ati Zigi – Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah – Abdul Samed, Partey – Kudus, Ayew, Ayew – Williams
Last matches played by Ghana:
World Cup Group H
28/11/2022 – South Korea 2 – 3 Ghana
24/11/2022 – Portugal 3 – 2 Ghana
Friendlies
17/11/2022 – Switzerland 0 – 2 Ghana
28/09/2022 – Nicaragua 0 – 1 Ghana
24/09/2022 – Brazil 3 – 0 Ghana
Uruguay – Statistics & current form
The two-time world champions have their backs to the wall and are up against several negative records at the same time. Despite a strong squad around midfield powerhouse Valverde, their performances so far have been anything but exhilarating.
Despite 21 shots on goal so far, they have yet to score in Qatar – an absolute embarrassment given the big names in the attacking department. Are the odds against both sides scoring in the Ghana vs. Uruguay match even worth betting on?
Coach demands reaction
La Celeste have never lost two World Cup group matches in a row since 1974, so a defeat on the final matchday of the group stage would have historic dimensions. Accordingly, coach Alonso has already urged his boys to be fully focused.
After all, they have never lost to African teams at World Cup level, but even a draw would be too little for promotion. They have to play to win from the start, which in turn could open up spaces for their opponents. It’s a game of fire ahead.
Do the Urus lack prospects?
But what about the physicality of the FIFA world number 14? In the duel with Portugal, a total of four players were used who were already older than 35. That has only happened once in World Cup history. Perhaps this squad is simply past its prime.
In the end, we don’t think there is any reason to predict Ghana vs. Uruguay for the supposed favourites from South America. Above all, their betting odds seem completely uninteresting to us, especially as some big nations have already had their difficulties with supposed underdogs.
Predicted line-up of Uruguay:
Rochet – Gimenez, Coates, Godin – Varela, Vecino, Valverde, Bentancur, Olivera – Cavani, Nunez
Last matches played by Uruguay:
World Cup Group H
29/11/2022 – Portugal 2 – 0 Uruguay
24/11/2022 – Uruguay 0 – 0 South Korea
Friendlies
27/09/2022 – Uruguay 2 – 0 Canada
23/09/2022 – Iran 1 – 0 Uruguay
12/06/2022 – Uruguay 5 – 0 Panama
Ghana – Uruguay Direct comparison / H2H balance
Until now, the two nations have only faced each other once before and that was in the highly dramatic quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup. Ghana lost out due to Luis Suarez’s unsportsmanlike conduct and can now take revenge. The head-to-head clash for advancement to the round of 16 promises to be a thrilling exchange of blows and plenty of explosive action.
Ghana – Uruguay Tip
There’s no question that the Black Stars’ performances so far have not been characterised by great consistency, as goals have always been plentiful on both sides. Nevertheless, we don’t necessarily see the supposed underdogs at a disadvantage, as suggested by the betting odds on Ghana vs Uruguay. The South Americans may have the higher-quality squad, but they have not been convincing so far and are still chasing their first goal in this finals.
In our opinion, the odds offered on Ghana vs. Uruguay favour a bet against a defeat for the Africans. We are assuming a reasonably even starting position, with double chance 1X at values of 2.00 upwards being an excellent option.
