BRAZIL v GHANA - SAMBA STARS TO TURN ON STYLE
Jonathan Turner

Brazil's victory over Japan last time out extended their record winning sequence at the World Cup to ten matches but more surprising was the fact that Keiji Tamada's goal ended a streak of 461 minutes without them conceding.

That run of clean sheets came despite a growing feeling that there's a real vulnerability about the Brazilian defence this summer and it will be fascinating to see if Ghana are able to exploit it.

Veteran full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos are finding it increasingly difficult to excel at both ends of the pitch while goalkeeper Dida came into the tournament on the back of a mixed season at AC Milan.

But those factors didn't stop the world champions from accounting for Croatia, Australia and Japan in the group stages even if they never really hit the heights that many expect.

And despite Ronaldo also rewriting the record books by equalling Gerd Muller's tally of World Cup goals, there are also problems at the other end of the pitch as his mobility clearly hasn't been anywhere near the required level.

There's therefore a real feeling that they could be struggling when they come up against tougher opposition - and the key question we have to ask ourselves is whether Ghana fall into that category?

A glance at the FIFA rankings would suggest not as Japan (18), Croatia (23) and Australia (42) are all higher than 48th-placed Ghana.

But the Black Stars caused the early shock of the tournament when beating the second-ranked Czech Republic to qualify from a tough Group E which also included Italy (13th) and the USA (5th) so perhaps we shouldn't get too carried away with the official standings.

There's little doubt where Ghana's strength lies - in their outstanding midfield trio of Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah.

So it's a real concern that they've got to make do without the suspended Essien for what's the biggest game in their history.

He missed the African Nations Cup along with Muntari and the result was an early exit after defeats by Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Indeed their results as a whole in the last year have been worryingly inconsistent when that midfield hasn't been at full strength which underlines the extent of their task on Tuesday.

What does look likely though is an attractive game as Ghana have played some of the most free-flowing football we've seen at this World Cup while everyone is fully aware of Brazil's capabilities.

There is a risk that might not translate into goals but it's one we're prepared to take as it looks the best angle from a betting point of view.

Brazil seemed to be finding some real fluency in their last match against Japan and should relish the space that's left by the hard-working Essien being sat on the bench rather than grafting in the centre of the park.

And it's also been noticeable that Ghana have displayed more of a cutting edge as the tournament has progressed so the 4/6 about three or more goals makes plenty of appeal.

As far as the match result is concerned we can't see a shock - especially as Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who has been in charge of Ghana in the past, is refusing to let any complacency creep in.

Brazil are heavily odds-on though and - even in a tournament that's been incredibly kind to favourite backers - there's little incentive to get involved.

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By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.