Uruguay v Ghana Betting Preview

Written by Dave Allan Monday, 28 June 2010 22:26

Betting Odds

Two of the tournaments surprise packages go to head to head with a place in the World Cup semi finals the prize for the winners. After losing Michael Essien through injury few would have been betting on Ghana to make any real impact in South Africa, but a win over the USA has booked a place in the Quarter Finals. Uruguay on the other hand have caused a stir, even with the quality they possess, and the two time winners are having their best World Cup since 1966.

But with players like Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan in their ranks, maybe we shouldn't be so surprised at how well the South Americans are performing this summer. The two hit nearly 80 goals between them for their club sides last season, and they have certainly took this form in the World Cup.


Suarez scored both goals in Uruguay's last 16 win over South Korea, and the Ajax man is sure to be one of the players who will be on the move following the World Cup. He partners Edison Cavani up front, with Forlan playing just in behind. Forlan thrives in this role, and Ghana will have to be aware of the danger he can course from this deeper role.


Coach Oscar Tabarez must be praised for the way he has gelled the three together, but he now has another dilemma with the news that defender Diego Godin could be set to miss out with a quadricep injury. Mauricio Victorino replaced him at half time during win over the Koreans, and could be set for a starting role next time out.


Elsewhere changes seem unlikely for Uruguay, who are missing no players through suspension. Tabarez will be hoping that his side can keep their winning streak going, having won their last three games, and the midfield trio of Arevalo Rios, Diego Perez and Alvaro Pereira will be key to any success. With only three players in midfield they need to make sure they retain possession.

Given the nature of Ghana's game this wont be an easy thing for Uruguay. Ghana are strong and hard working, and will press the ball at every opportunity. However Ghana will be without Andre Ayew and Jonathan Mensah who picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament in the win over the USA.


Ghana will also be sweating over the fitness of influential midfielder Kevin Price Boateng. The Portsmouth man opened the scoring in the USA game, and has been a big part of Ghana's campaign so far.


All this could mean a start for Sulley Muntari, who is yet to start a game for Ghana so far, Stephen Appiah is another player who could potentially come in, and given their experience, these are more then adequate replacements.


But key to Ghana plans will be the strike force of Kwadwo Asamoah and Asamoah Gyan. The duo were excellent in the win over the USA and Gyan's superb winner showed why he is getting linked with a host of clubs across Europe.


Whether they can out perform the Uruguay duo of Forlan and Suarez is another question, but this certinaly promises to be an interesting game. Uruguay are a technical side, who's intricate game is a stark contrast from the raw power of the Ghana.


But this really does make it an almost impossible task to call, much may come down to fortune on the day, and this could well be one of the matches that goes all the way to a penalty shoot-out in South Africa.

| More...

Comments (0)