Portugal vs Ghana World Cup Picks and Predictions: A Shutout Looms for the Underdogs

Today sees all four teams in Group H open their accounts, with Portugal and Ghana playing in the latter of the two matches. The Portuguese enter as favorites to win the group, while Ghana are expected to finish third per the World Cup odds.

After missing out on the 2018 tournament, Ghana hopes to win their first World Cup match since 2010. Meanwhile, Portugal hopes to reach the knockout stage for the fourth time in their last five attempts. Will Ronaldo get off to a winning start in his final World Cup? Find out in our Portugal vs Ghana World Cup betting picks and predictions for Thursday, November 24. 

Portugal vs Ghana odds

Portugal vs Ghana picks and predictions

Portugal have enjoyed a fine run of form leading into this year’s World Cup tournament. They have an extremely deep roster from which Fernando Santos is able to select from, and he’s found a strong nucleus of players around which to employ his 4-2-3-1 formation.

They are looking to progress further than their disappointing Round of 16 elimination at Euro 2020, and their performance in Nations League this summer shows they’re going to be a threat. 

Winners of six of their last nine matches, Portugal have proven lethal in attack and stingy in defense. Their attack begins with Ronaldo, whose recent interview with Piers Morgan could prove to be a distraction for the team.

His Manchester United teammates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot have already had to answer questions about it, vs. ones about the tournament. But even if Ronaldo’s not in form, they have young stars Rafael Leao and Joao Felix who can pick up the slack.

Ghana on the other hand have been struggling to keep good teams from scoring. While they kept a clean sheet in their recent friendly against the Swiss, their opponents appeared to be treating it as little more than a warmup as they made numerous subs.

In their other two matches this year against World Cup competition, they conceded seven total goals to Brazil and Japan while scoring just once. At AFCON earlier this year, they also struggled with Morocco in the group stage, falling 1-0, and lost to lowly Comoros.

That’s going to be Ghana’s downfall against Portugal. Over their last eight matches, the Portuguese have conceded just three goals. Two of them were scored by Spain in different matches, while the other came via a Swiss header just 50 seconds into their match in June. Santos sets his teams up to stifle their opponents at one end, and hurt them on the break at the other. 

While the recent change of Inaki Williams from Spain to Ghana will give them a boost in attack, I don’t see that being enough against a Portugal side that have terrific defensive talent and a midfield that can turn defense into attack in an instant. Avoid some of the heavy juice on many of the lines for this game, and instead, take Portugal to simply win with a clean sheet.

My best bet: Portugal to win to nil (-110 at bet365)

Portugal vs Ghana side analysis

Portugal have won six of their last nine matches, combining a draw with 1-0 losses to Switzerland and Spain. They’ve also won 12 of their last 21 matches with just five defeats.

Ghana comes into this match having won just four of their 13 matches (one via penalty kicks) in 2022. They’ve lost just twice in that span, but have done poorly against teams that are in this year’s World Cup.

These two teams have faced each other just once, a 2-1 Portuguese win in the 2014 World Cup. Ghana have either lost or drawn each of their last seven matches in World Cup play, while Portugal have reached the Round of 16 in four of their last five tournaments. 

Portugal are overwhelming favorites in this match, and I’d recommend staying away from the moneyline except to include it in parlays. There is a bit of value in the draw if Ghana can find a way to frustrate their opponent and steal a share of the spoils, but a Ghana win is very unlikely.

Portugal vs Ghana Over/Under analysis

The total in this match of 2.5 slightly favors the Over, but it’s quite even. The historical data supports this stance in the market.

Just twice in Portugal’s last 10 matches have they been held off the scoresheet, with 21 goals scored in that span. They’ve managed to keep a clean sheet in five of those matches, and have a trio of 4-0 wins in that span.

Ghana have scored multiple goals in just three of their 13 matches this year, and they’ve been held scoreless in five of them. They’ve kept a clean sheet in five of those matches, including each of their last two friendlies.

Of Portugal’s last 10 matches, the total has been evenly split at 5-5 vs. the typical 2.5 goal line. However, just three of those have seen both teams score — and none in their last six. 

Ghana are 2-2 on the total this year against teams participating in the World Cup. On the whole, eight of their 14 matches have gone Under. Both teams have scored in just five of those 14 outings.

Portugal vs Ghana game info

Portugal vs Ghana key injuries

Portugal: Diogo Jota F (Out).
Ghana: No injuries to report.

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