Ghana and Uruguay face off on Friday in the hope of sealing a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Portugal has already qualified from Group H but both of these sides have the chance to join them. A victory would guarantee a spot in the next round for Ghana, while a draw would be enough if Portugal avoided defeat against South Korea.

As for Uruguay, they need a victory of their own to advance, but South Korea needs to drop points as well.

Ghana Team News

Left-back Gideon Mensah was forced off late on in the victory over South Korea but later confirmed he was just dealing with a cramp, suggesting he should be fit enough to feature once again. Ghana couldn’t edge out Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup despite winning a handball through Luiz Suarez who stepped in to handle a ball in the six-yard box. The 2022 clash will bring back bitter memories and there is no doubt the black stars will want to avenge the loss against the Uruguayans. For that alone, expect Ghana to play its best-ever match in a FIFA World Cup, especially in this last group stage game. Ghana needs nothing more than a draw from this game, so we do not expect to see extreme action here from the team. We expect strong defensive football and no more than one goal per team if we even see any.

Ghana predicted lineup vs Uruguay

Ghana Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Ati-Zigi; Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah; Party, Abdul Samed; Kudus, A. Ayesw, J. Ayew; Williams

Bench: Danlad, Nurudeen, Aidoo, Djiku, Seidu, Rahman, Odoi, Owusu, Kyereh, Sulemana, Barnieh, Bukari, Fatawu, Sowah, Semenyo

Uruguay Team News

We’re still yet to see center-back Ronald Araujo and we might not see him at all after the Barcelona man suffered a relapse to the injury which nearly ruled him out of the competition in the first place. Uruguay knows too well it will be facing a hostile opponent. Regarded as a team that denied Ghana a chance to be in the 2010 World Cup semis, expect one of the most dramatic moments in this 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For Uruguay, this is an opportunity to prove to the Ghanaians that they can win fair and squarely. But more importantly, this is Uruguay’s final chance to qualify for the 1/8 finals and stop Ghana once again. They were unlucky against Portugal and played a terrible match against South Korea already.

Araujo isn’t expected back until the knockout stages, but given Uruguay’s struggles so far, he might not get the chance to return.

Uruguay predicted lineup vs Ghana

Uruguay Starting XI (3-5-2): Rochet; Giminez, Coates, Godin; Varela, De Arrascaeta, Valverde, Bentanur, Nunez; Suarez, Cavani

Bench: Muslera, Sosa, Caceres, Vina, Rodriguez, Torreira, Ugarte, De la Cruz, Vecino, Torres, Canobbio, Pellistri, Gomez, Olivera

Ghana vs Uruguay Score Prediction

Uruguay have no options here, they have to go for it. Only a victory will do, and even then, that may not be enough.

The South Americans may unleash all three of Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez, and Edinson Cavani in the hope of sealing that win, and that sort of firepower may be too much for a Ghana side that has yet to convince defensively.

That being said, Jordan Ayew is in his playmaking prime for some reason and will hope to take advantage of the gaps that come about as a result of Uruguay’s pedal-to-the-metal approach. Expect goals, but Uruguay should get the job done.

Half-time result prediction: Draw

This clash between Ghana and Uruguay in the 2022 World Cup will have all the hallmarks of tension. We bet no football fan in Africa will miss this match as everyone vowed to teach Uruguay some lessons but with Uruguayans and with their fighting spirit, we have settled for a draw at the break.

Total goals prediction: Under 2.5 goals

As apprehensive as Ghanaians are about this clash with Uruguay in the 2022 World, so are the South Americans. Bet on Ghana vs Uruguay to yield under 2.5 goals in a game that will be filled with tension.

Correct score prediction: 1-0 to Uruguay

You can’t take away the fact that Uruguay is better than Ghana based on their experience in global competitions like the FIFA World Cup and their current form. Ghanaians may want to avenge their better loss in the 2010 World Cup but we give it to Uruguay to win the clash with at least 3 goals

Prediction: Ghana 1-3 Uruguay