Portugal vs Ghana Prediction – June 26
Scenarios Abound as Ghana and Portugal Play Their Final Group G Game
Group G has become more fascinating by the day – all four teams are still mathematically alive with one game to go. Ghana meets Portugal on Thursday with both teams clinging to life, awaiting the result of the other Group G match between Germany and the USA. [ad-1519080]
Ghana (0-1-1) vs. Portugal (0-1-1)
Where: Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, Brazil
When: Thursday, June 26, 2014, 12:00 PM ET
Ghana vs. Portugal Betting Lines
Portugal -½ +125 +125 Ov 3 +100
Ghana +½ -145 +195 Un 3 -120
Draw +230
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Portugal is still alive on the heels of a last second goal that lifted them to a tie with the United States while Ghana – they were impressive in recording a draw with a very strong German side. Both teams will need a win Thursday or their World Cup is over – that’s about the only thing we know.
The situation for both sides is about as muddy as it can get ahead of Thursday’s showdown. Are you ready for this?
If this game ends in a draw, both Portugal and Ghana will be out of the World Cup. If Germany and the United States end in a draw, both Ghana and Portugal will be out of the tournament as well. If both games end with a winner, two teams in the group will be tied at four points each – got it?
If Ghana were to win by one goal, and the USA were to lose by one goal, both teams will be tied not only on points but on goal difference as well. The second tiebreaker is goals for – Ghana and the USA could be tied again if Ghana scores one more goal than the US in their final games but the US would advance because they won 2-1 over Ghana in their opening group match. Whew! But a Ghana win by at least two goals coupled with a USA defeat will give Ghana a spot in the Group of 16.
That’s Ghana’s scenario’s now for Portugal which has a somewhat tougher path. Portugal needs the US to lose to Germany and then need a huge win over Ghana – a 4-0 loss to Germany put them behind in the goal differential department. Simply put – the US needs to lose and Portugal needs to win by four goals – yikes!
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Alright – now onto the game!
Ghana has to be a confident bunch heading into Thursday’s game off an impressive 2-2 draw with Germany in a game they led at the three quarter mark. Ghana rebounded nicely from their 2-1 loss to the Americans thanks to stellar defending and timely offense.
The Ghanaians slowed a German attack that scored four against Portugal and pounced on their opportunities to counter. They can expect Portugal who needs goals to come at them in waves, just like Germany did. Consider the German game a good tune-up for what they are in for against Portugal!
Striker Asamoah Gyan should have his chances as he did against Germany as will Sulley Muntari. Both will be called upon to do all the damage as the defense will likely be under siege for a good part of the game. Make no mistake; defense and goaltending will have to be the difference for Ghana with Gyan and Muntari converting whenever they have the chance.
The situation for Portugal is dire but they are not dead thanks to the last minute brilliance of Christiano Ronaldo – his cross to Silvestre Varela was a thing of beauty and salvaged a draw with the US. Portugal has seemingly already used up one of their lives – maybe they have another one in them!
That’s where the accolades and positivity for the Portuguese stop. They haven’t been great in the World Cup thus far and are lucky to be heading into their final match with a sliver of hope! Christiano Renaldo entered the tournament banged up and his injury woes have worsened as the tournament has gone on. The Portuguese were outclassed, 4-0 against Germany and were lucky to escape the US with a draw.
With at least four goals needed it goes without saying that Christiano Renaldo is going to have to be the star – I don’t know if he has it in him. Pepe will return to the lineup after being forced to sit against the US but he is a defender – not the goal scorer that is needed for Portugal at this point. The Portuguese have been a tad exposed in this tournament – there isn’t a whole lot of offense outside of Renaldo – something unforeseen by Portuguese fans ahead of 2014.
World Cup Betting Prediction:
Despite all the negativity surrounding the Portuguese ahead of their final match of the Group stage, they are still Portugal – a team that was supposed to make a little more noise than they have so far. Like Spain, my guess is that they will bring their best Thursday and give their fans something to cheer about. Portugal will press all game long and score enough to post the win in what could be one of the more wide-open games of the tournament so far.
Pick: Portugal +125
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