Uruguay vs Ghana – Tabarez hoping to stifle Black Stars
Published:If their coaches’ philosophies are anything to go by, Uruguay and Ghana’s quarter-final tie could be a very gritty affair.
Ghana are managed by Milovan Rajevac, a pragmatic Serbian who was relatively unknown – having managed a string of modestly sized Serbian clubs –when he was appointed in 2008.
A former defender, Rajevac prides himself on building sides that are difficult to beat. Ghana have kept seven clean sheets in their last 13 matches, and they are 11/5 to keep another against Uruguay.
Unlike Rajevac, Uruguay’s coach Oscar Tabarez has an extensive managerial CV, which includes a stint at AC Milan and a separate spell in charge of Uruguay, where he guided them to the second round of the 1990 World Cup.
Tabarez is a master of grinding out results, and his Uruguay side have only conceded once in four World Cup matches to date. They are evens to win.
With both managers’ penchant for 1-0 wins in mind, it could be worth backing a match total of under 1.5 goals at a price of 6/4.
Ghana will be without their captain and commanding central defender John Mensah, though they will be boosted by the return to fitness of Issac Vorsah, who was part of the backline when Ghana beat Serbia 1-0.
Uruguay will also have to make a change at the back, with Mauricio Victorino replacing the impressive Diego Godin in central defence.
Neither side is expected to approach the match with a particularly attacking mentality, and extra-time is a distinct possibility. A Uruguay win after an additional 30 minutes is 7/1.
Can Ghana outlast their opponents? They are 14/1 to win after extra-time. See the full Uruguay vs Ghana market.
