Germany emphatically stamped its authority on one of the “Groups of Death“, Group G, with a dominating 4-0 demolition of Portugal. Is another beatdown set to befall Ghana, whose World Cup participation is in life-support after a crushing 2-1 defeat to the USA?
Germany is a near-consensus pick to advance all the way to the semifinals according to CBS’s soccer experts, and more performances like the one against Portugal will definitely get them there. Get into our World Cup predictor contest by clicking the link and answering some questions that can get you $500.
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Ghana vs. Germany, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
Despite going down 2-1 to the USA, Ghana was arguably the better team throughout 90 minutes. The Ghanaians controlled possession and created multiple chances on goal. The Africans won’t get the luxury of bossing the game and dominating possession against the Germans. However, that might just be what the Ghanaians would prefer.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]With the speed and relative lack of guile of its attackers, Ghana is much more suited to the counterattacking game as opposed to keeping possession and breaking down its opponents’ defense. And despite conceding within half a minute against the US, the Black Stars have quite a solid defense; they conceded just six goals in eight African qualifying games.
Both of Germany’s fullbacks are really centerbacks playing out of position and don’t possess sufficient speed. If either of Ghana’s speedy wingers manages to get them isolated, the Africans could create some decent goalscoring opportunities.
Asamoah Gyan and their other forwards were guilty of wasting some very good chances against the US. With those types of chances harder to come by against Germany, expect the Ghanaians to try and make them count this time around.
Thomas Muller just loves playing in the big stage of the World Cup. With his spectacular hat-trick to power Germany’s 4-0 win over Portugal, the 24-year old forward now has eight goals in just seven tournament games. He’s already more than halfway toward reaching teammate Miroslav Klose’s and German legend Gerd Muller’s mark of 14, the second most World Cup goals all-time.
Muller’s explosion has quickly silenced the doubts that Germany’s lineup, which lacks a recognized centerforward, also lacks goals. The Germans’ forward line of Muller, Mario Gotze and Mesut Ozil are all incredibly intelligent and versatile footballers capable of finding holes in opponents’ defenses. Their movement with (and in Muller’s case, without) the ball should cause the Ghanaian defense much confusion.
The Germans’ midfield three of Sami Khedira, Philipp Lahm, and Toni Kroos overwhelmed a Portuguese midfield with loads of experience in the very top leagues, and they will likely enjoy a similar advantage over Ghana.
There were some concerns about their fullbacks Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Howedes, who were perceived as the team’s weak links. Both answered those concerns by getting the better of Portuguese wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani in their respective matchups against . If Cristiano Ronaldo hardly caused Boateng any problems, then neither should Ghana’s speedy wingers.
Writer’s Prediction
Germany turns in another terrific all-around performance and steamrolls past Ghana to secure a spot in the knockout round.
