Portugal v Ghana predictions, tips, lineups and free bets (World Cup - Group G - June 26, 2014)

Wednesday, 25 June 2014 17:40
Written by David Bet

Portugal and Ghana clash in Brasilia knowing that even with a win here they could still be heading out of the World Cup in the group stage. Goals should be guaranteed here, so this should be a really entertaining. This article contains a complete PORTUGAL v GHANA betting preview with tips, predictions, best odds, probable line-ups, free bets and no deposit bonuses on the match!

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PORTUGAL v GHANA BETTING PREVIEW

If this game ends in a draw, both Portugal and Ghana will be out of the World Cup. Similarly, if the other group game between table-toppers Germany and the United States end in a stalemate, both Ghana and Portugal will be booted out of the tournament as well. Portugal need a win, a Germany win and a five goal swing to get in to the next round. Should they qualify, that would be one of the most incredible World Cup nights of all time. Ghana are in a slightly better position as their goal difference is only -1 compared to the USA's current tally of +1. Should the Black Stars win here and Germany beat the USA, the swing in Ghana's favour could be enough to see them through.

Portugal have just one point to show from two matches played so far in Group G, after lost 4-0 to Germany and only salvaged a 2-2 draw courtesy of a 95th-minute equaliser against the USA.
Paulo Bento has plenty of selection worries ahead of Thursday's decisive match. Cristiano Ronaldo will likely play despite his knee still far from 100% healed while Fabio Coentrao and Hugo Almeida have been ruled out of the rest of this tournament with injury problems and remain unavailable. With both Postiga and Hugo Almeida unlikely to be match-fit in time, Eder is expected to feature from the start this time around

Ghana were beaten 2-1 in their opening game of the group after John Brooks Jr secured all 3pts with a late strike for the United States, but the side was extremely impressive in their second game of the group when obtaining a well deserved 2-2 draw with Germany.

Ghana have few injuries to contend with so expect their coach also to go with the same eleven players that started the game against Germany. James Appiah, will not be able to count on the contribution of Muntari, one of his most influential midfielders, who is currently suspended, while there are still some doubts concerning the physical condition of the team’s versatile midfielder, Prince Boateng. Emmanuel Badu is favoured to replace the Milan midfielder with Michael Essien having been given a watching brief to this point.

Despite their recent pallid and unconvincing performances, Portugal are to be considered favourites. It is clear that the Ghanaians are flimsy from a defensive point-of-view and this could be game which swiftly descends into end-to-end attacks. We expect a game with a lot of goals.

PORTUGAL v GHANA PROBABLE LINEUPS

Portugal (4-3-2-1): Beto – J. Pereira, R. Costa, Bruno Alves, A. Almeida – R.Meireles, Veloso, Moutinho – Nani, C. Ronaldo – Eder

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Ghana (4-3-3): Dauda – Opare, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah – Essien, Boateng – Atsu, J. Ayew – A. Gyan, A. Ayew