World Cup 2014 Group G preview: Portugal v Ghana

Real Madrid’s superstar has clearly been carrying the wear and tear of a gruelling club campaign. To give the Navigators a realistic chance of sneaking through this pool, he needs to hit a hat-trick here. Charged with a similar requirement just to get Portugal to the Brazil finals in the play-offs against Sweden, he delivered. Back Ronaldo to take the match ball home with him at 12/1.

Bento has been let down by his strikers. Hugo Almedia and Helder Postiga have taken hefty criticism over the years for simply not being predecessors Pauleta and Nuno Gomes. Eder has hardly been an able deputy for the injury-prone pair in attack either. The Navigators must look instead to other wide players to help them steer this tough course through to the last 16.

Nani and Silvestre Varela must try to build on the goals that took a point off the USA. Odds of 2/1 say Manchester United’s inconsistent winger Nani will score again anytime. Varela of Porto, meanwhile, is 7/1 to net last.

Ghanaian goals look likely to come from Asmoah Gyan and the Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan. Former Sunderland striker Gyan wears the Black Stars armband, so back that responsibility to sit well on his broad shoulders by him scoring anytime at 7/4. Jordan Ayew is a shorter price at 2/1, than older sibling Andre (11/4), in the same market.

Chelsea-owned wideman Christian Atsu has also caught the eye. His endeavour against Germany was endearing and he can be relied upon to cross for teammates or have a pop himself if nobody is up in support. It’s 11/2 on Atsu grabbing a goal here.

Sulley Muntari is suspended and has been sent home alongside Kevin-Prince Boateng due to breaches of discipline, though James Kwesi Appiah has Michael Essien to step into the engine room. Odds of 9/1 say he will roll back the years by scoring anytime.