Brazil vs Ghana Betting Preview

Brazil and Ghana have only ever met once before, which was in a friendly played in Rio Preto, Brazil, in 1996, and Seleção romped to an 8-2 victory. Shocking. But, my, how times have changed, and how Ghana have improved between then and now. When these two nations lock horns for the second time in history in Dortmund on Tuesday afternoon, with a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup at stake, there will be no rugby-esk scorelines, that's for sure. The African nations have done themselves proud in this tournament, despite Ghana being the only side to progress to the second phase, and have underlined the fact that football is very much on the ascendency, even in some of the most remote and deprived parts of the world. Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic has been hailed as the miracle worker of African football. And justly so. Born in the former Yugoslavia, Dujkovic led Rwanda to a surprise qualification for the 2004 CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals shortly after the east African nation's players emerged from the torrid genocide. Now, just a year after taking hold of the reigns at Ghana, the former Red Star Belgrade player has navigated the Black Stars to the World Cup for the first time in their history, by virtue of an excellent qualification campaign, which saw them emerge on top in their group. Make no mistake, the task facing Ghana in this last sixteen clash with the all-smiling, all-dancing Samba Stars is tantamount to climbing Mount Everest. But, also make no mistake about the fact that Ghana are a serious side, who will give 110 per cent. And if Brazil are expecting a comfortable ride, then the rollercoaster ride that lies in wait will be all the more tumultuous. Ghana will throw the kitchen sink at the reigning world champions. Granted, it does take a leap of faith to envisage Ghana winning, largely because of the strength in depth of the Brazilians, whose squad reads like a who's who of football stardom. However, this is not always necessarily a positive thing. Indeed, the undisputed No 1 player in the world today, Barcelona's aesthetically challenged but ridiculously talented, Ronaldinho, hasn't used this World Cup to showcase his unparalleled box of tricks just yet. Perhaps in the group games he was merely saving such wizardry for the knockout stage. But it has to be said that, despite their game against Japan culminating in a 4-1 victory for Carlos Alberto Parreira's charges, they haven't exploded on the scene with the sort of pyrotechnics that were anticipated. It could be that they are simply building up to concert pitch - and it has been proven in previous World Cup's that teams that peak too early are invariably on a plane home long before the final is played. However, in terms of their attacking players, with the exception of Kaka and Robinho, who has made an impact when brought on in each game as a sub, Brazil's touch hasn't been as deft as expected. By contrast, the Ghanans have exceeded and excelled beyond all expectations. Despite losing 2-0 against the Azzurri in their opening Group E fixture, Ghana played their socks off, and Chelsea man Michael Essien was the best player on the park by a country mile.Sadly for Ghana, though, Essien, who was again instrumental in Ghana's next two matches, a 2-1 beating of the USA and a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic, will miss the match through suspension, which will weaken them significantly. That said, the Black Stars appear strong in every area, and are still going to really test a Brazil side who have yet to really stamp their authority in this competition. They seem to be taking a while to find their stride in their matches.It wasn't until just before half time that Kaka's wonder strike put them into the lead and ultimately gave them three points against Croatia, while Australia kept them at bay until the second half, and Japan actually led 1-0 at the interval against Seleção. This leads me to the recommended bet. Opting for the draw in the half-time result market at a generous-looking 15/8 with VC Bet makes plenty of appeal, since Ghana will not sit back and let Brazil control the game in the way the like to - in essence, they will punch pound for pound with the south Americans in what looks a fascinating clash.Verdict - 2pts draw in the half-time result market @ 15/8 VC Bet