Preview: Ghana vs Uruguay World Cup Starting XI, Prediction, Team News

Friday’s World Cup match between Ghana and Uruguay in Group H will be played with the knowledge that a win will advance both teams, along with Portugal, to the next round.

The Black Stars sit second in the group right now, two points ahead of Uruguay, who has to win to have a chance of moving on to the tournament’s last-16 round in Qatar.

Match Preview

Following the thrilling matchup between the two teams in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, Ghana will be seeking retribution against Uruguay.

After 120 minutes of play, the score remained tied at 1-1; however, there was significant controversy late on when Luis Suarez was sent off for handling on the line; Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing penalty kick; and Uruguay advanced to the final four via a penalty shootout. This was the first time since 1970 that Uruguay had reached the final four.

With three points from their first two games in the tournament—a 3-2 loss to Portugal in their section opener and a 3-2 triumph over South Korea—Ghana can now knock Uruguay out of the 2022 competition. The Black Stars are presently second in Group H.

If South Korea fails to defeat Portugal, who are already out, a draw would be sufficient to advance Otto Addo’s team to the next round. If Fernando Santos’ team loses versus South Korea, the group’s second-place finish will be determined by goal differential.

Ghana is a team that knows what it needs to do, so it would be an interesting tale if they could advance to the knockout round for the first time since their run to the quarterfinals in 2010, having been eliminated in the group stage in 2014 before failing to qualify for the finals four years ago in Russia.

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Uruguay has struggled to make an impression at the 2022 competition, drew 0-0 with South Korea in their opening encounter on November 24 before falling to Portugal 2-0 on Monday, leaving them bottom of Group H and in danger of being eliminated early.

If Diego Alonso’s team loses or draws, they will undoubtedly be eliminated; only victory will do. If South Korea loses to Portugal, three points would be sufficient to advance; however, if both sides win, second place in the group will be decided by goal differential.

Having finished fourth at the 2010 championship before moving on to the round of 16 and quarterfinals in 2014 and 2018, respectively, Uruguay, which is known for winning the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, is well familiar with what it takes to advance far into the competition.

It would be surprising to see the South American country fail to go past the opening round of the competition because they haven’t been eliminated from a World Cup in the group stage since 2002, which was the first time it had happened since 1974.

La Celeste have struggled in their first two games of the 2022 competition, and they will now face a Ghanaian team seeking vengeance for their infamous match in 2010.

Predictions

Sport Mole Predicted a draw match. Ghana 1-1 Uruguay

We anticipate a fun football game because it has all the makings of becoming a very, very exciting one. Ghana will be confident that they can at least draw a point here, which would be sufficient to go to the next round even if South Korea fails to defeat Portugal. Uruguay must win this match.

Over 1.5 goals will be scored in this game, according to our professional tipster friends at Sporita.com. For more of their tried-and-true football predictions as well as what else they are forecasting for this game, click here.

Team News

The same starting lineup for this game would not be unexpected given that Ghana has not disclosed any injury concerns from their play against South Korea.

Mohammed Kudus scored twice his previous time out and was in fantastic form. As a result of his performances at the tournament, teams like Barcelona and Liverpool have expressed interest in signing him.

Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew are also expected to keep their attacking positions in the three behind the center-forward, with Inaki Williams once more expected to lead the line for Ghana.

Salis Abdul Samed should replace Thomas Partey in the middle of the midfield.

It would not be surprising to see Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani start on the bench here for Uruguay because they have both struggled to make an impression at this summer’s competition.

Maxi Gomez, who shone off the bench against Portugal, might partner Darwin Nunez in the attack, with Suarez and Cavani perhaps coming into the game later.

Since Jose Gimenez, Federico Valverde, and Rodrigo Bentancur are all expected to start again, head coach Alonso is probably going to resist the urge to shuffle his squad.

Ronald Araujo’s fitness has been questioned since the start of the competition, and it’s likely that the Barcelona defender won’t make the squad for this match.

Ghana possible starting lineup:

Ati-Zigi; Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah; Partey, Samed; Kudus, A Ayew, J Ayew; Williams

Uruguay possible starting lineup:

Rochet; Gimenez, Godin, Coates; Varela, Valverde, Bentancur, Vecino, Olivera; Nunez, Gomez