For just the third time in World Cup history, an African team has made it to the quarter finals of the competition, with Ghana following in the footsteps of Cameroon (1990) and Senegal (2002). This has been achieved by having a resolute defence that has conceded just three goals in the four games played in South Africa.
Therefore, while Kevin Prince-Boateng and Andre Ayew will be missing for the Black Stars, we can be sure that they’ll be defensively stout at the back, especially with John Mensah proving to be a rock in central defence.
Similarly, Uruguay are built on solid foundations and this has been testified with just one goal being conceded in the whole tournament. Oscar Tabarez’s team are favourites to win this match, although they weren’t convincing against South Korea and offer no value at such short odds again.
While Luis Suarez might well win the match for La Celeste, we should consider that a place in the
semi-final of the World Cup is at stake and that will mean a cautious approach for both teams.
PREDICTION:
UNDER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.50 with Expekt
Power Rating
Squad (3/5)
Great attack allied to a more than passable defence. It is just a pity that Uruguay don't possess a midfielder of true, creative flair.
Squad (3/5)
It is better than any other African side. Ghana can field a very strong first team, albeit one that is weak in attack but it is susceptible to injury, especially to its midfield powerhouse.
Coach: (4/5)
Oscar Tabarez is known as El Maestro in his native Montevideo and he has the ability to conjure something that Uruguayan football has not seen for 40 years – a decent run in a Word Cup.
Coach (2.5/5)
There are many followers of African football who feel the federation could have done a lot better than someone whose main level of expertise was qualifying minor Serb sides for the Uefa Cup.
Attack: (4/5)
On paper few teams possess a partnership as lethal as that between Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. If they can keep their heads – and that is a big if – they could create something special.
Attack (2/5)
A lot of Ghana’s play is reliant on breaks from midfield and Matthew Amoah is not quite good enough to shoulder the whole burden alone. The early rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations were not encouraging.
Defence (2.5/5)
Gritty and effective, the way Lugano and Co will defend their 18-yard line will not be a thing of beauty. But no defender enjoys playing in front of a goalkeeper they don't know and don't really trust and that may be the case with Muslera.
Defence (3.5/5)
One Rajevac’s real achievements has been to tighten up and toughen up the Ghana back-four and the midfielders who play in front of them. As the Czech Republic and the United States discovered, once Ghana are in front they are hard to peg back.
URU
MEX
RSA
FRA
ARG
KOR
GRE
NGA
USA
ENG
SVN
ALG
GER
GHA
AUS
SRB
NED
JAP
DEN
CAM
PAR
SVK
NZL
ITA
BRA
POR
CIV
PRK
SPA
CHI
SUI
HON
World Cup Winner Odds
Top Goalscorer Odds
Group Winner Odds
