Ghana vs Uruguay: Predicted lineup, injury news, and head-to-head

With Portugal already in the Round of 16, the group has only one place for the remaining three teams.

Ghana would be riding high on their victory against South Korea in their last encounter. The Ghanaians initially struggled to control the game, but Jordan Ayew had a spending game. He added more venom to their attack as Mohammed Salisu opened the scoring for them followed by another goal from Mohammed Kudus. The Korean team came back strongly in the second half with two goals from Cho Gue-sung. Kudus put his team in front despite the scare as they held on for a slender win. Ghana will next play Uruguay in the World Cup 2022.

Uruguay played out a goalless draw against South Korea in their campaign opener but fell to a 2-0 defeat against Portugal last time around. They can only make it to the next stage if they defeat the African team in this game. Uruguay will also need to pray that South Korea does not defeat Portugal in their game.

Kick-off: 8:30 PM (IST), 3 PM (GMT)

Ghana form (all competition): W-L-W-W-L

Uruguay form (all competition): D-L-W-L-W

Players to watch

Ghana: Mohammed Kudus

If Ghana has to win, Kudus will likely play a key role once again. He is the only player to ever score twice in a World Cup match for the Black Stars, and another goal in the tournament would see him match Gyan’s record haul of three goals in a single edition of the World Cup for Ghana.

Uruguay: Rodrigo Bentacur

Rodrigo Bentancur can win the midfield battle in this game. Bentancur won possession 19 times against Portugal, the most by a player in a 90-minute World Cup match since Brazil’s Mauro Silva in 1994 against the United States (also 19).

Injury and team news

There are no major injury concerns for both team and they are expected to come with full strength in this game as it is a must-win encounter for both sides.

Head to Head

Matches - 1

Ghana - 0

Uruguay - 0

Draw - 1

Predicted lineup

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

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

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. 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 resulting from Uruguay's pedal-to-the-metal approach. Expect goals, but Uruguay should get the job done.

Prediction: Ghana 1-2 Uruguay