Ghana – USA

Team USA will try to get revenge after being knocked out by Ghana in the round 16 of the 2010 World Cup, in extra time, but the Africans will be up for the challenge, hoping to repeat that performance. Both sides qualified en-fanfare for Brazil 2014.

Ghana got back in form and achieved their first win in 5 games when they routed South Korea 4-0 one week ago, it was a great performance from the Africans. Their results have not been up to standards lately but they did face solid opposition and played very good defense – just couldn`t bang in the goals. With the attacking display showed against South Korea, the Ghanaians will be confident in their ability to create chances against a USA side that doesn`t defend to well. Ghana has a really solid squad in this World Cup, both in quality and in numbers, and they will hope that their deep midfield will be able to impose the rhythm tonight.

USA has 3 consecutive wins against Azerbaidjan, Turkey and Nigeria, the team is in solid form for some time now, but their problem is the lack of quality in the team. USA has a good roster, but not as good as in the past, and their defense is shaky to say the least. The peculiar omission of Landon Donovan from the World Cup squad could also end up hurting them, he was the number 1 man in this team and a leader of the locker room. All in all team USA is a good side, but there are still question marks looming over their heads: is Klinsmann the right man for the job? can their defense hold up? do they have enough quality for this level?

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Team news & lineups

No squad issues for either side, both managers will be able to field their best first eleven.

Ghana: Kwarasey – Afful, Boye, Mensah, Muntari – A Ayew, Boateng, Asamoah, Essien, J Ayew – Gyan.

United States: Howard – Johnson, Besler, Cameron, Beasley – Beckerman, Bradley, Jones – Bedoya – Dempsey, Altidore.

I`m not so sure about this USA side and especially about Jurgen Klinsmann’s coaching ability. Leaving Donovan out was bad enough, but it seems that the German manager will also leave Aron Johansson on the bench, a player that scored 17 goals in the Eredivisie for Alkmaar last season. Ghana on the other hand is a solid team with great experience, has better quality in the squad, a midfield that should be able to dominate the game and a defensive discipline that could frustrate even the best national teams in the world. USA’s defensive struggles should allow Ghana to create a number of solid chances, while at the other end the Africans’ back line is rock solid and could keep the North Americans scoreless. Ghana is the better, more consistent side here and USA with all their uncertainties will most likely lose this one. My tip is Ghana to win, but I will secure the bet with a 0,25 asian handicap. Prediction: Ghana – USA 2-0.

Pick: Ghana (-0,25 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.15 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.2
Event date: 16 June