World Cup Soccer Betting: USA vs. Ghana

Monday evening will feature the opening match for a pair of Group G challengers as the USA and Ghana do battle in a World Cup group stage game. This is a very crucial game for both teams and the team that wins will have the inside track for advancing to the knockout rounds. A draw is likely as bad as a loss for both sides–should they draw then they’d have to beat at least one of the group’s powerhouse teams (Germany or Portugal) to have any hope of advancing.

Ghana isn’t a particularly impressive team though some soccer observers suggest they’re the second best African side at the tournament behind Ivory Coast. They finished fourth in the 2013 African Nations Cup and are the youngest team in the World Cup with an average age of 25. For some reason, however, the ‘Black Stars’ have given the United States a lot of trouble in recent World Cup tournaments. Ghana eliminated the US in 2010 and prevented the Americans from advancing to the knockout rounds. The US made it that far in 2010, only to be once again eliminated by Ghana. Ghana is a notoriously physical side which might be the reason for their edge over the United States in years past.

The USA team looked very good in warm up play as they won all three International Friendly games heading up to the World Cup beating Nigeria, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The team has improved markedly under the tutelage of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and he’s hoping to improve upon their strong World Cup performance of 2010. The USA has won six of their last seven matches and the tactical improvements that Klinsmann has orchestrated are readily evident, particularly on the defensive end.

Both teams need this game but the Americans look to be the better side. They’re particularly adept at scoring goals and their two front players of Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore are a tough test for any team. Ghana’s defense has looked porous during their warm up matches and that could be the difference in this contest. The United States finally gets past Ghana thanks to their goal scoring.

BET USA +190 OVER GHANA
BET USA/GHANA OVER 2′ +100