I'm assuming they won't change much but was curious what some of our soccer experts who are more familiar think will happen.

Pressing extremely high on the lines and forcing Portugal to play clean in the midfield?

Or with Ronaldo and nani's ability to make one man runs and striking ability does Ghana change formations and tactics a bit?

Portugal has little shot of advancing so I'm wondering how focused they come out. Or if they get down early Ronaldo just throws in the towel as we have seen him do

I think it will be a GREAT game. Both sides need lopsided wins to advance so I imagine you'll see great attacking all day.

Athletic Ghana gave Germany fits, so I don't expect much different against Portugal.

I really don't think that either Ghana or Portugal are more than one goal better than the other. I really foresee a tie or a one-point match. We're just going to need to be big fans of Portugal's defense, and they're going to have Pepe back.

Good point forgot about pepe being back.

Hope Portugal jumps on them early so everyone on their roster stays interested

Frankly, after watching Fabian Johnson run all over the left side of the Portugal defense, I'm scared of what Ghana will do against that defense. Pepe will help a lot in terms of solid defense, but Alves is a huge weakness when matched against athleticism and speed.

not to mention CR7 can't be bothered to play defense

Wonder what type of formation Portugal will trot out on Thursday?

One thing I noticed, and maybe I'm just projecting. Nani had a relatively anonymous game against Germany; he didn't seem into it and once the game got out of hand, he (like the rest of the Portuguese players) just didn't play hard.

Fast forward to last night. We gift him an early goal, and for the rest of the night, he's playing at a very high level (that shot that Timmy deflected off the post, for one).

So, I think that Portugal needs to have something happen for him early, and they'll be much improved from that point on.

Two desperate teams. I'll have to DVR that game as well. Seems like they'll both have to take chances. Might see a thriller.

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Hope Portugal jumps on them early so everyone on their roster stays interested

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That's my concern.

If Ghana scores early, how long will it take for Portugal to lose interest. I'm hoping Portugal can get an early goal and at least play at a high level long enough to protect our differential lead over Ghana.

If Portugal gives up an early goal, what are the chances they fold and give up copious amount of goals?

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One thing I noticed, and maybe I'm just projecting. Nani had a relatively anonymous game against Germany; he didn't seem into it and once the game got out of hand, he (like the rest of the Portuguese players) just didn't play hard.

Fast forward to last night. We gift him an early goal, and for the rest of the night, he's playing at a very high level (that shot that Timmy deflected off the post, for one).

So, I think that Portugal needs to have something happen for him early, and they'll be much improved from that point on.

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Other than the goal and shot that almost went in nani was very poor. Turned the ball over a lot and a liability on defense

Ronaldo had a quote today basically stating that they have an "nearly impossible" task of advancing. Im sure he will be running about 50% most of the game.

...yeah we better get a point. Portugal is about ot get rolled up

OP, see my thread on outcomes. It is clear that Ghanas best hope is too have a high scoring game. So is Portugal's.

This is going to be a WILD game if they have anyone that can do simple math. We might see a 7-5 result what with all the risk taking.

In fact, if they could conspire, they would agree to get to 5-5 and then start the match from there!

i hate ronaldo- I think he scores early and its a draw

I'll set the over/under on yellow cards at 5.5.

What do you think?

If the US lose by multiple goals (which really isn't that far fetched) then Ghana only has to win by one goal in order to go through. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ghana come out a bit tentatively at first. Portugal knows they have to score a bunch regardless.

Sulley Muntari is suspended and he's Ghana's best midfielder by far. That will hurt Ghana unless Essien can turn back the clock and put in a great performance. Neither team plays best with the ball it seems. They both look so much better on the counter but realistically, Portugal needs at least 3 goals (unless the US get absolutely tonked by Germany) so not sure you can rely on the counter for 3 goals.

I'm thinking 2-0 win for Ghana and then hope and pray we don't lose to Germany.

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I'll set the over/under on yellow cards at 5.5.

What do you think?

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Cards. Cards everywhere.

I really wish that Jurgen and Joachim will just brother-in-law this thing and engineer a 90-minute-long game of 0-0 grab-ass.

If Ghana makes it I to the knockout round, they're going to win this tourney. They're my dark horse.

It's pretty scary that the most likely outcome of our match is a loss of 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1,and Ghana has about a 50/50 random shot in that event (just by number of scenarios) and probably a much better shot based on their playing better than Portugal right now.

http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/22/usa-increase-odds-to-86-of-advancing-in-world-cup-after-draw-against-portugal/

simulations have us at 86% odds of advancing, German 99.91
and interestingly:
Portugal slight favorite over Ghana

as good as Ronaldo is, he could half ass half the game and still score a goal or 2. My concern for Portugal would be Ghana's team speed. I think Portugal gives them everything they have left.

that is my non soccer expert opinion

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Portugal slight favorite over Ghana

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You might want to reread that....

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Ghana’s current 8.47% chance of advancing and Portugal’s 5.6%

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Although, I would still HIGHLY argue with any simulation that only put Ghana's chances at 8.47%. I think the US advances, but I think that Ghana has MUCH MUCH better odds than 8.47%.

Groosome, you're reading it wrong.

Portugal are favorites to win the game.

But Ghana has a better chance of advancing.

That's because with a Ghana win, they are in a good spot to advance, even if the score is 1-0 or 2-0. Or even 2-1. But Portugal would have to win something like 3-0 and STILL get help from Germany.

So while Portugal is favored to win, a small win won't put them through whereas it might put Ghana through. So Ghana has a better chance of advancing.

And I agree, I'd put Ghana's chances MUCH higher than 8.47%. According to Nate Silver, US have about a 76% chance of advancing. Then again, before the tournament, he had us at around 33%.

[This message has been edited by Aggies2009 (edited 6/24/2014 10:20a).]

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Although, I would still HIGHLY argue with any simulation that only put Ghana's chances at 8.47%. I think the US advances, but I think that Ghana has MUCH MUCH better odds than 8.47%.

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This.

I feel like Portugal is one 1-0 deficit away from just shutting it down. Their team spirit is pitiful right now, and if the uphill climb looks too great I could see a complete meltdown happening.

That's the thing, gig them. A simulation doesn't take into account things like that. And that's why you play the games. A simulation won't account for Portugal and Ghana coming out firing (as they have work to do) while the US and Germany play more relaxed (as they are both in as things sit now).

No, Portugal is favored to win the game, but they still have a lower chance of moving on because of their inferiority on the tiebreaker. So even though Portugal is more likely to beat Ghana, Ghana is still more likely to move on, because a Ghana win makes it more likely that they move on (despite being less likely overall) than a Portugal win makes it more likely that THEY move on.

the ghana keep is unpredictable

2-2 or a 1pt win by port

either Ghana's chance of advancing at 8.47% is very low

OR

we are all very, very battered USA fans


I think it's probably a little of both, but more of Ghana has better odds than that.

I think Ghana just has the X's and O's advantage. Portugal is going to have to send a lot of people forward because a 1 or 2 goal win really does them no good. I'm hoping that results in a draw, but I'm afraid it will result in Ghana sitting back and countering.

I hope Portugal wins by 1 goal or they tie. Unless blasted by Germany we would advance b/c of goal differential.........of course, think we can beat Germany too.

Really want both US and Germany to advance in the group. Outside of the US, Germany is my favorite team.