Few cross-continental encounters can rival Ghana versus Uruguay for enmity and with qualification still possible – but far from assured – for both sides, the stakes are sky high. Cam Pope previews, selecting his best bet.
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Football betting tips: Ghana v Uruguay
1.5pts Both teams to score at evens (SBK)
Johannesburg, the evening of July 2nd, 2010 – a date every Ghanaian remembers.
The Black Stars were moments from achieving what no African nation had ever done before: reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
The images of Luis Suarez’s last-gasp goal-preventing handball, Asamoah Gyan’s subsequent missed spot-kick and Ghana’s agonising penalty shoot-out defeat were some of the South African World Cup’s most unforgettable and in Qatar, 12 years later, the two protagonists meet again.
The reunion was one of the main stories emerging from the World Cup draw in April and the two nations’ uncertain fate means this clash has the potential to be seismic.
And my pick for the clash is BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at even money.
Ghana have goals in them – that much is crystal clear from their opening two matches. They gave Portugal a veritable scare in their opener, levelling at 1-1 through Andre Ayew before Osman Bukari set up hope of a late equaliser in the 3-2 loss, while the 3-2 win over South Korea brought them into the Uruguay fixture with a fighting chance of going through.
A draw will be enough to see them finish second if South Korea fail to beat Portugal, though a point might still be enough in the event of a Korean win provided the Taegeuk Warriors still can’t eclipse Ghana on goal difference or goals scored.
But win and their passage is assured whatever happens, with a group-leading berth still up for grabs.
And with the narrative and recent history behind this match-up carrying more weight than perhaps any other group encounter in Qatar, a nation will be gunning to right the wrongs of their 2010 upset.
As for Uruguay, the situation could not be clearer for the South American side: win, and nothing less. Bottom of the group on one point courtesy of their goalless draw with South Korea, who also have a single point, only victory will take them past the Black Stars and into second place - and the Koreans could still pip them with a win over Portugal.
To manage this, La Celeste will have to score their first goal of the tournament. The chances were there against Portugal, Diego Alonso’s men generating 1.43 xGF to 1.32 xGA but nevertheless falling to their European opposition.
But with no other option than to throw caution to the win – and against a side that have let in more goals than anyone else in Group H, the net should start to ripple for the two-time champions.
Ghana v Uruguay best bets and score prediction
- 1.5pts Both teams to score at evens (SBK)
Score prediction: Ghana 1-3 Uruguay (Sky Bet odds: 12/1)
Odds correct at 1300 GMT (30/11/22)
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