The final World Cup Round of 32 match sees Group K winner Colombia dueling against the Black Stars of Ghana on Friday night in Kansas City.
This is the first-ever encounter between these two teams.
La Tricolor arrives with a 2-0-1 record, having defeated Uzbekistan and a spirited DR Congo team, then drawing with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal to conclude the group stage.
Luis Diaz and Daniel Munoz highlight a speedy Colombian attack that, when in open space, can make you pay. Their defense has also conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, an impressive feat, especially when grouped with Ronaldo and Co.
Ghana brings plenty of physicality, having finished third in Group L behind England and Croatia. After a 1-0 win over Panama, Ghana played England extremely well, with that match ending in a nil-nil draw. In their group finale, in which they rested key starters, they fell to the Croatians 2-1.
Colombia sits as a heavy -425 favorite to move on to the Round of 16 and a -190 moneyline choice to secure a victory within 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Black Stars face long odds on BetMGM Sportsbook, listed at +310 to advance and as significant +575 dogs on the moneyline.
Colombia vs. Ghana World Cup prediction, best bet
The Ghanaians possess more than enough defensive potential to transform this matchup into a grueling, physical battle, just as they did against England.
Colombia, though, was able to navigate troubled waters opposite DR Congo in group play and can also excel in gritty conditions. Their seasoned front three of Diaz, former Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez, and Luis Suarez is responsible for maintaining possession and managing their attacking play.
La Tricolor has recorded 19 shots on goal across three matches, and their 6.3 per match is the seventh-best rate in the tournament.
Carlos Queiroz must keep this in mind as he finalizes the starting goalkeeper between Lawrence Ati Zigi, who went down with an injury against Panama, and replacement Benjamin Asare, who conceded two goals to Croatia.
For Ghana to advance to the next knockout round, their offense needs to generate clear scoring opportunities, something they struggled with mightily. If not for a late score in stoppage time in its opener, the Black Stars would be entering the round of 32 with just one goal.
In their three Group L matches, Ghana generated only three significant chances, none of which came in their draw against Harry Kane and England. Jordan Ayew is their experienced attacker, but this team depends heavily on high-pressing and solid defending.
Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Colombia has the capability to withstand Ghana’s resilient defense. Having missed previous World Cups, this team is now poised to make up for lost time.
Ghana is a tough opponent, but I expect La Tricolor to maintain their form and advance to the next round of the knockout stage.
The Play: Colombia to win and under 3.5 goals to be scored (-105, BetMGM)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
