World Cup 2014 betting odds: Ghana long shot in Group of Death
Ghana could be the best last-place team in Brazil, but being drawn into the Group of Death can really mess with your odds.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Ghana has enjoyed World Cup success in the last two tournaments, including a quarterfinals appearance in 2010.
But they have the worst betting odds to win Group G this summer after being drawn into the Group of Death.
The midfield is the strength of the team with such world-class players of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien, but can they carry them out of a killer group?
Ghana Odds to win World Cup 2014: +2500
Ghana Odds to win Group G: +1200
Ghana has a tall task getting out of the Group of Death and their defense is a big concern. They have problems defending the flanks, which may really hurt them facing Portugal and Germany in group play.
This is also a squad that does not play well from behind. Still, they have experience and in the qualifying process averaged more than three goals per match.
World Cup Prediction for Ghana
The first group match is key for Ghana, as they face the USA, who they have ousted from the last two World Cups. If they do not come away form that match with three points they may be in trouble still having to face the powerful squads of Germany and Portugal.
They will play the USA to, at least, a draw, but with their defensive issues they will lose to both Portugal and Germany and snap their streak of advancing to the knockout phase. [ Full odds to win World Cup 2014 ]
How Ghana got to the World Cup
Ghana finished first in their African World Cup qualifying group and then in the home and away playoff facing a solid Egypt them they won 7-3 on aggregate. They came up big in their biggest match winning at home 6-1 facing Egypt in the first leg of the playoff tie.
Their offense was solid in qualifying, but their defense only had three clean sheets and that was facing the weak opponents Lesotho (twice) and Sudan. Overall, Ghana’s qualifying record was six wins, three losses, and one draw.
World Cup Qualifying Results
11/10/09 Benin 1 - 0 Ghana
15/11/09 Ghana 2 - 2 Mali
01/06/12 Ghana 7 - 0 Lesotho
09/06/12 Zambia 1 - 0 Ghana
24/03/13 Ghana 4 - 0 Sudan
07/06/13 Sudan 1 - 3 Ghana
16/06/13 Lesotho 0 - 2 Ghana
06/09/13 Ghana 2 - 1 Zambia
15/10/13 Ghana 6 - 1 Egypt
19/11/13 Egypt 2 - 1 Ghana
World Cup Group Play Schedule
16/6/14 Ghana vs. United States - Estadio das Dunas
21/6/14 Germany vs. Ghana - Estadio Castelão
26/6/14 Portugal vs. Ghana - Nacional
Team Key Players
Kevin-Prince Boateng FW Schalke - The attacking midfielder had a good season in the Bundesliga and is one of a few offensive minded midfielders for Ghana.
Asamoah Gyan FW Al-Ain - He is the veteran and captain of the squad that does not play in a great league, but still has 39 goals for the national side.
Michael Essien MF - Maybe the best player the squad has and is finally healthy and his attack and ball control in the midfield will be key this summer.
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