Ghana vs Uruguay predictions: La Celeste can earn a thrilling win

- Uruguay must go all-out for victory but have more goals in them than their record suggests
- Ghana have been the tournament’s great entertainers, providing ten goals in their two games
- Recommended bet: Uruguay and over 2.5 goals

Ghana will be seeking revenge and all three points against Luis Suarez’s Uruguay, 12 years after the controversial striker took a red card to deny them a place in the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup.

A draw would be enough to knock Uruguay out of the 2022 edition and will probably be enough to see them qualify. But the Black Stars may feel they need the insurance of a victory, just in case, South Korea beat already-qualified Portugal.

While some of the Uruguayans from 2010 remain, the likes of Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin are no longer the key to La Celeste’s success. Instead, it is an excellent midfield three of Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde and Matias Vecino driving them forward.

Ghana’s own 2010 veteran, Andre Ayew, was the spark that ignited his previously ponderous team in a 2-3 defeat to Portugal, while his brother, Jordan, picked up two assists to help his country beat South Korea 3-2, a result that leaves them on the verge of their first knockout stage appearance since 2010.

Team news

Ghana’s Gideon Mensah had to come off late in the game against South Korea, but it has since been reported that the left-back was suffering only from cramp, and that leaves Otto Addo with a fully fit squad.

Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo has yet to feature as he recovers from thigh surgery and is again likely to miss out, but he is Diego Alonso’s only reported, absentee.

The stats

Ghana’s 3-2 victory over South Korea last time out was their first win at the World Cup since losing on penalties to Uruguay in 2010. They took just one point from the 2014 World Cup, did not qualify in 2018 and lost to Portugal in their opening match in Qatar.

But the Black Stars were hugely fortunate against South Korea. Addo’s men were outperformed on almost every metric, claiming just 37% possession, completing 270 passes to Korea’s 601, taking only seven shots to South Korea’s 22 and scoring with each of their three shots on target.

Uruguay have yet to score at Qatar 2022 but have been unlucky not to, hitting the woodwork three times across their two games against South Korea and Portugal.

Prediction

Uruguay will be frustrated with their one point from two games in Group H, and understandably so.

They were the better team against South Korea but twice hit the post in a 0-0 draw. And they deserved at least a point against Portugal, again hitting the woodwork and having a harsh penalty awarded against them in a 2-0 defeat.

By contrast, Ghana have been the great entertainers of the World Cup.

The Black Stars have been involved in two five-goal thrillers and could be involved in another in their final group-stage outing, so over 2.5 goals looks like a wise addition to BetBuilder selections with LiveScore Bet.

But Ghana’s fortune from their South Korea success may not follow them into this clash.

Uruguay are more technically accomplished in midfield and have been rock-solid in defence since Diego Alonso took over, with La Celeste conceding just one goal in five competitive matches before the start of the World Cup.

It should be a more entertaining match than their previous Group H outings, and this time Uruguay can celebrate in style. A win for La Celeste and over 2.5 goals looks the way to go and is available at 9/5 with Livescore Bet.

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