2010 FIFA World Cup – USA vs. Ghana Picks & Predictions
All American eyes will be on the 2010 World Cup Saturday at 2:30PM ET when the United States takes on Ghana in the Round of 16.
The U.S. is the winner out of Group C while Ghana was the runner-up out of Group D.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sports Interaction have made USA the favorites to win with a betting line of +130 while Ghana comes in at +200. A regulation draw has a money line of +220.
The United States is riding a wave of emotion into the round of 16 as Landon Donovan put the U.S. into the next round with a goal in stoppage time against Algeria which gave the Americans a 1-0 win and the group victory. Without that goal, the U.S. wouldn’t be alive today in the World Cup. Late scoring has been the key for the U.S. as three of its four goals have come in the second half. The goal by Donovan against Algeria was the first time the Americans had led in a match in group play. The U.S. will not be able to start slow in this game and be able to continue to rely on late surges in scoring.
Ghana is the only remaining African country in the World Cup, which is taking place in South Africa. Ghana has scored just two goals in the tournament, but that was enough to get through as it defeated Serbia 1-0 and had a 1-1 draw with Australia. Asamoah Gyan has scored both Ghana goals and he will be the player the U.S. has to key in on. In this game, Ghana will have to come up with ways of creating more offense because the U.S. is able to attack with a lot of force late in the game.
A slow start could kill U.S. hopes as beneath the surface, the American still have not played that great of a World Cup. Had that Donovan goal never occurred, this tournament would have been considered a huge disappointment. Still, the goal did happen and the U.S. needs to ride that momentum and come out strong from the start against Ghana. This is a winnable game for the U.S., but it can’t continue to wait until the last minute to strike. We expect a motivated U.S. effort which will carry it to a 2-1 victory.
Our World Cup Free Pick for this matchup is: UNITED STATES +130 and OVER 2.5
World Cup Match Results
USA
Draw with England, 1-1 on June 12
Draw with Slovenia, 2-2 on June 18
Win over Algeria, 1-0 on June 23
GHANA
Win over Serbia, 1-0 on June 13
Draw with Australia, 1-1 on June 19
Loss to Germany, 1-0 on June 23
World Cup Player Stats
USA
Landon Donovan – 2 goals
Clint Dempsey – 1 goal
Michael Bradley – 1 goal
GHANA
Asamoah Gyan – 2 goals
World Cup Odds
United States +130 Over 2.5
Ghana +200 Under 2.5
Draw +220
*If game is tied after regulation Draw pays out. Team payouts must be on regulation victory