Ghana World Cup Betting Preview

Ghana odds and free bets for 2010 World Cup

Fresh from the disappointment of losing the African Cup of Nations final at the hands of Egypt;  Ghana hope to have a successful World Cup campaign. The African Cup of Nations gave Ghana the chance to showcase some of their young stars due to injuries to the more senior players. However Coach Milovan Rajevac hopes players such as Chelsea’s midfield enforcer Michael Essien will be available for World Cup selection.

Ghana have been placed in Group D along with Germany, Australia and Serbia and the Black Stars have every chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. Although not considered serious contenders to win the competition the shortest odds for a Ghana triumph are offered by Ladbrokes at 66/1 with Coral offering a more attractive 80/1. Although the Germans are favourites to win the group the Black Stars are capable of an upset and are priced at 4/1 with Ladbrokes to win the group.

This will be Ghana’s second World Cup finals, in 2006 they were the only African team to progress from the group stage beating both USA and the Czech Republic on their way to an eventual 3-0 second round defeat to the Samba stars of Brazil. Ghana’s qualification campaign for South Africa was impressive and saw them be the first African nation to qualify for 2010. Unbeaten in their first four qualification matches and not conceding a goal until already qualified, with only one defeat Ghana qualified for South Africa with ease. To qualify from the group at this year’s World Cup Ghana are priced at 11/8 with Betfred.

Unlike most African teams Ghana do not rely on pace; instead the Black Stars use a strong midfield triplet capable of breaking up play and also starting attacks. This triplet of players would be considered Ghana’s key stars. The triplet includes the strong, fast and powerful Michael Essien who unfortunately was injured for the Cup of Nations but should be fit for the world cup, former Portsmouth and current Inter Milan star Sully Muntari and the Ghanaian captain Stephen Appiah. This world class midfield will be key in helping Ghana progress to the knock out stages and maybe even further. I believe that this strong Ghanaian team are capable of reaching the tournaments Quarter-Final stage, the climate will not be an issue for the players and the African crowd will not be an intimidating one for the players.

Recommended bets: Coach Rajevac in an interview stated "This team is very hungry to play in the finals again. My players are aware of what they can achieve, and we have the quality to go far. I am very confident about the future," and he has every right to be confidant, with a strong qualifying campaign and a world class midfield Ghana could be a threat at this World Cup finals. One bet worth taking would be with Betfred on Ghana being eliminated at the Quarter final stage, priced at 15/2 these are generous odds for a team very capable of reaching this stage.

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