World Cup 2022 Portugal vs Ghana, Tips & Predictions

Portugal and Ghana lock horns at Stadium 974 in Doha on matchday one of Group H in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on November 24th. Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal into battle against the Black Stars on international football’s biggest stage. 22bet have priced Portugal as odds-on favourites to start their campaign with a victory. Check out our predictions for the game below and make sure to check out our detailed 22bet review to learn more about what they have to offer.

Portugal and Ghana’s only previous encounter was at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The teams crossed paths in the tournament’s group stage and Portugal carved out a 2-1 victory.

• Portugal lost just one of their ten World Cup qualification fixtures (nine group stage games and one playoff match).
• Ghana were beaten just once in eight World Cup qualifiers in Africa.
• Ghana failed to win any of their games when they last competed at a World Cup in 2014.

We start our trio of World Cup betting tips with a dive into the match result markets in Doha, where Portugal are available at a generous-looking 4/7 to win. Despite their poor showing at Euro 2020, Portugal remain a formidable outfit and with established pros Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo supported by a new wave of stars like Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes, Portugal have a wonderful blend of youth and experience. Ghana’s last victory over a European opponent was in 2010 (vs Serbia) and that record is unlikely to improve in Doha.

Portugal to Win – 4/7

Portugal’s squad is overflowing with players that can offer a threat in the final third and they managed to rattle the net in all but one of their ten World Cup qualifiers and all but two of their more recent Nations League fixtures. The powerful Portuguese frontline should create and convert at least once chance against Ghana, though the Africans have the talents up front to make an impact themselves. The Black Stars notched in eight of their last nine competitive tests and they are capable of hitting a consolation effort in Doha. With that considered, our second betting tip recommends backing both teams to score.

Both Teams to Score – 5/4

Attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes has numerous strings to his bow and the Manchester United man can threaten from any number of angles and situations. The 28-year-old has scored nine times in 48 appearances for Portugal and Fernandes showcased his nose for the big occasion when he netted a brace against North Macedonia in the World Cup Playoffs back in March. The schemer should be an integral part of Portugal’s plans in Qatar and our final prediction advises punters to consider a stake on Fernandes to score anytime against Ghana.

Bruno Fernandes to Score Anytime – TBC

Portugal

Portugal performed poorly at each of the last two World Cups when they exited at the Group Stage in 2014 and Round of 16 four years later, though they won the European Championships in between and should be considered a dark horse in Qatar. Head Coach Fernando Santos has been in the hotseat for eight years, though a few of his critics believe he is still dining out on the country’s success in 2016.

Key Players: Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes

Team News: Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play at his fifth and final World Cup in 2022, however, with his powers on the wane, the veteran isn’t likely to be the star of the show for Portugal. Fernando Santos deployed his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation in the Nations League and he should stick with the same structure in Qatar.

Predicted Lineups: Diogo Costa, Cancelo, Dias, Pereira, Mendes – Carvalho, Neves – Silva, Fernandes, Jota – Ronaldo

Ghana

Ghana’s best performance at a World Cup was produced in South Africa back in 2010 when they managed to drag themselves to the quarter finals. Since that golden generation’s era, the Black Stars haven’t been able to shine as brightly and they failed to reach the last World Cup in Russia. Ghana are expected to struggle in a tough group alongside Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.

Key Players: Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Iñaki Williams

Team News: Ghana’s chances of enjoying some success at World Cup 2022 were boosted when Athletic Bilbao star Inaki Williams declared for the Black Stars. Like Portugal, Ghana like to set-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Head Coach Otto Addo and Williams should add pace and penetration to their frontline.

Predicted Lineups: Ofori – Lamptey, Salisu, Amartey, Mensah – Partey, Baba – Fatawu, Kudus, Sulemana – Williams

A Portugal squad laden with superstars scored in 13 of their 16 competitive fixtures in the lead up to World Cup 2022 in Qatar and with Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva in their ranks, they should be tough to keep off the scoresheet at Stadium 974 in their Group H opener against Ghana. The Black Stars, however, have plenty of weapons in their own armoury and the addition of Inaki Williams to an attack that already contained Ajax’s Mohamed Kudus and Rennes’ starlet Kamaldeen Sulemana adds spice to their options in the final third. With that in mind, our prediction tips both teams to rattle the net at favourable betting odds in Doha.

Both Teams to Score – 5/4