Serbia Ghana Betting – Serbia Open Up 2010 Campaign With Win Over Injury-Ravaged Ghana
Online betting players have been watching for injuries, and arguably no team has been hit harder than Ghana, both up front and in midfield. They surely won’t have their best players even close to full fitness, if at all, when they meet Serbia in the first match of Group D, and the Serbs will take advantage of this.
- What: World Cup Betting
- When: Sunday, June 13th, 10:00 AM ET
- Where: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
- Key Stats: Serbia beat Ghana 3-1 in 1997, but as the former Yugoslavia
The Storyline
Neither team will be mentioned among the global elite, but Serbia and Ghana have the tools to make it difficult on anyone they face. This will be Serbia’s third time in the World Cup since Yugoslavia split up, while Ghana will be making only their second appearance in the world’s biggest tournament, but in a group with Germany and Australia, both have their eye on the second round.
Who Has The Edge On Offense: Serbia vs Ghana Betting
Milan Jovanovic emerged as his team’s best threat during qualification, and his weapons as a striker come in handy when he plays on the flanks for his country. His versatility will come in handy later in games when Serbia can move him forward and add another attacking player. Serbia has another interesting player in Nikola Zigic, who is an intriguing target at 6’8” and poses a unique set of problems to the opposition. Dejan Stankovic is also a threat from midfield, coming off a treble-winning season at Inter Milan.
Ghana lost Junior Agogo to a knee injury about a month ago, and he leads all active Ghanians with 11 goals in 25 matches. Matthew Amoah and Prince Tagoe will be counted on to pick up the slack, and the midfield is capable of goals from Michael Essien, captain Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari and Laryea Kingston. But will Essien and Appiah even be available to play?
Edge: SerbiaWho Has The Edge In Defense: Serbia vs Ghana Betting
Branislav Ivanovic and Nemanja Vidic, who ply their trade at Chelsea and Manchester United respeictively, form a powerful duo in front of keeper Vladimir Stojkovic, and the defenders will have to be stout as Serbia doesn’t really know who their starter will be. Stojkovic hasn’t played regularly with his club team, Wigan Athletic, and Zeljko Brkic, who doesn’t have that much experience.
Ghana’s keeper situation is fine with Richard Kingson, who has won the most caps in the history of the Ghana soccer team, while Eric Addo, John Mensah and John Pantsil have experience together. But their fate lies in midfield, where Appiah and Essien have the ability to take over games on offense, but especially on defense with their touch tackling and endurance. Appiah has just started playing again after a knee injury kept him out for most of the season, and Essien will know very soon if he will be able to play. The effectiveness of Essien and Appiah is the biggest factor in Ghana’s sportsbook odds in South Africa.
Notable Injuries – Serbia vs Ghana Betting
Serbia doesn’t have any major injuries to worry about.
Appiah (knee) hasn’t played 90 full minutes yet this season, while Essien (knee) has been out since February. The loss of Agogo (knee) was also big for Ghana.
Edge: SerbiaTotals – Serbia vs Ghana Betting
Ghana may be apt to hold back on attacking if Essien and Appiah are out, while the Serbs aren’t an offensive juggernaut, so we’re taking the under here.
Edge: Under 2.5Serbia vs Ghana Betting Prediction & Outlook
Serbia is a +120 favorite to take this match, while Ghana is listed at +230, and a draw comes in at +220. Ghana would have much better odds if their midfielders were healthier. Essien and Appiah are the best players that Ghana has, and they’re not nearly as intimidating without them at 100%. Serbia has a solid manager in Radomir Antic, who has coached at high-profile places like Real Madrid and Barcelona, and he has them playing an efficient and disciplined game. It’s a shame that Ghana isn’t at 100%, but that’s not Serbia’s problem as they’ll roll to a sports betting win in this contest.
