Portugal v Ghana predictions: Iberians can avoid another slow start

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Portugal v Ghana in World Cup Group H on Thursday.

Where to watch

ITV1, 4pm Thursday

Best bet

Portugal and under 3.5 goals
1pt Evs Coral

Portugal are one of the strongest football nations to have never reached a World Cup final but they have a decent chance of success in Qatar and can get started with win over Ghana, who will be looking to challenge Uruguay and South Korea in the battle for round of 16 qualification.

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Match preview

Portugal have had a habit of getting off to slow starts at recent World Cups but they can win their opening match for the first time since 2006 by beating Ghana at Stadium 974.

The Iberians opened up with a 3-3 draw against Spain at Russia 2018 with Cristiano Ronaldo helping himself to a hat-trick.

Ronaldo and his strained relationship with Manchester United dominated coverage of the Portuguese build-up to Qatar but his departure from the club was announced two days before the start of the tournament, allowing him to focus fully on captaining the side at what will almost certainly be his last World Cup.

The 37-year-old's influence on the Portuguese team has been immense since he made his senior international debut in 2003.

Ronaldo has contributed a record 117 international goals and will look to add a few more in Qatar, but he will be well aware that his main role is as part of a team who have a genuine chance of lifting the trophy.

There have been times when Portugal have been described as a one-man team but that is certainly not the case these days.

They have immense talent across all areas of the pitch and it was a surprise that they needed the safety net of the qualification playoffs to secure a sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance.

Fernando Santos's side are particularly strong in midfield, where Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva provide the creativity and Ruben Neves offers a touch of steel.

And Portugal should swiftly assume control of their contest against Ghana, who could not have asked for a much tougher opening game.

Ghana suffered a group-stage exit at this year's Africa Cup of Nations after an embarrassing 3-2 loss to Comoros and responded by making a swift change in the dugout, replacing Milovan Rajevac with Otto Addo.

The move paid dividends in March when Addo led the Ghanaians to a World Cup qualifying playoff success over Nigeria, thanks to a gutsy 1-1 draw in Abuja which was enough for them to progress on the away-goals rule.

Ghana's build-up to the World Cup has been decent with five wins in their last seven matches, and their squad features a number of players plying their trade for top-flight clubs, including Premier League contingent Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Daniel Amartey, Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew.

However, their outstanding attacking talent is probably Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who has impressed in this season's Champions League with four goals in six appearances.

Kudus's quality gives Ghana a chance of reaching the last 16, but the Black Stars are much more likely to gather points from the matches against Uruguay or South Korea than the one against Portugal, which seems likely to yield a low-scoring success for the European side.

Key stat

Ghana's last seven competitive games have gone under 2.5 goals

Team news

Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to recover from illness for the opening game and there are no other injury concerns.

Ghana
Ghana head coach Otto Addo can select from a fully fit squad.

Probable teams

Portugal (4-3-3) Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Mendes; Fernandes, Neves, B Silva; Felix, Ronaldo, Leao.

Ghana (4-1-4-1) Ati-Zigi; Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Rahman; Partey; Sulemana, Kudus, A Ayew, J Ayew; Williams.

Inside info

Portugal

Top scorer in probable team Cristiano Ronaldo
Star player Cristiano Ronaldo
Penalty taker Cristiano Ronaldo
Assist ace Bruno Fernandes
Set-piece aerial threat Cristiano Ronaldo
Card magnet Pepe

Ghana

Top scorer in probable team Andre Ayew
Star player Thomas Partey
Penalty taker Andre Ayew
Assist ace Jordan Ayew
Set-piece aerial threat Inaki Williams
Card magnet Mohammed Salisu

Portugal v Ghana Bet Builder

Portugal to win There is quality all over the pitch for Portugal, who should make a winning start in Group H.
Under 2.5 goals Five of Ghana's last six games have generated fewer than three goals and the Black Stars can keep the score respectable against Portugal.
Mohamed Salisu to be carded Mohamed Salisu has been booked four times in the Premier League this season and could see yellow in his first World Cup finals match.

Price guide 17-2