On Friday, Groups G and H reach their conclusion as Round 1 of the Big Match Predictor finishes up. We learn the identity of the final four teams that will reach the round of 16, and you can find information below to help you make your picks for the four matches!
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Group H: Ghana vs Uruguay (2/12, 5pm SAST)
Ghana:
- Ghana are the lowest-ranked side in this World Cup, sitting 61st in the FIFA rankings. Their recent form reads: LWWLW.
- The Black Stars beat Korea Republic 3-2 in their last match. They only had seven shots at goal and scored with two of their three shots on target.
- AjaxAmstrdam's rising star Mohammed Kudus scored a brace in that win. He also made 10 ball recoveries and won five ground duels in a complete performance.
- Ghana ended a five-match winless run at the World Cup last time out. They need a draw against Uruguay to progress as long as Korea Republic don't beat Portugal in the other match.
Uruguay:
- Uruguay have struggled at this World Cup despite being ranked 14th in the world by FIFA. Their form guide reads: WLWDL.
- They lost 2-0 to Portugal in their last match, with three shots on target from seven attempts inside the box. They won just seven out of 22 aerial duels in the match.
- Strike duo Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez struggled to impact the match. They had two shots between them, with one on target.
- La Celeste Olímpica have won five of their last seven World Cup matches. They need to win this match and hope that Portugal beat Korea Republic in the other fixture.
Predicted Result: DRAW. Ghana will want revenge for what happened in 2010 and they have enough to leave with a point.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 2-2 or 1-1.
Group H: South Korea vs Portugal (2/12, 5pm SAST)
South Korea:
- Korea Republic are winless at this World Cup and their form reads: DWWDL. They sit 28th in the FIFA World Rankings.
- South Korea were beaten 3-2 by Ghana in their last match despite having 63% possession and outshooting Ghana 22-7.
- Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min continues to have a poor tournament. In two matches, he has not had a shot on target and has made just one successful dribble.
- South Korea have won once in their last nine World Cup matches. They need to win this match and hope Ghana don't beat Uruguay to stand any chance of qualifying for the next round.
Portugal:
- Portugal have qualified for the last 16 and their form reads: WLWWW. They're placed 9th in the world, according to FIFA.
- They beat Uruguay 2-0 in their last match with 60% possession. After just 0.22 expected goals in the first half, they produced 1.11 xG after half-time.
- Bruno Fernandes netted a brace against Uruguay. He has eight goal contributions in his last five appearances for Portugal (five goals, three assists).
- Portugal have won four of their last seven FIFA World Cup matches. They need a draw in this match to guarantee top spot.
Predicted Result: DRAW. Portugal could rest quite a few players and they don't need to win.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 1-1 or 2-2.
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Group G: Cameroon vs Brazil (2/12, 9pm SAST)
Cameroon:
- Cameroon's recent run of results reads: LDDLD. They are the world's 43rd-highest-ranked side, as per the FIFA rankings.
- The Indomitable Lions came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Serbia. They had eight shots on target and 2.29 expected goals in a deserved result.
- Substitute Vincent Aboubakar scored and assisted from the bench. He had three shots and four successful dribbles after coming on.
- Cameroon have lost eight of their last nine matches at World Cups. They need to win this match and hope for a Serbia vs Switzerland draw in the other match.
Brazil:
- Brazil are the top side in the FIFA World Rankings, and they've been on a winning streak: WWWWW.
- The Selecao needed a late goal to beat Switzerland 1-0 in the absence of Neymar due to injury. They only put up 1.02 expected goals despite 10 shots inside the box.
- Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior had a quiet game against the Swiss. He made only one successful dribble and had one shot at goal.
- Brazil need a draw to be certain of top spot in Group G. They've lost just once in 31 matches and are chasing a sixth World Cup crown.
Predicted Result: Brazil WIN. Manager Tite could make a number of changes but his side has plenty of depth.
Recommended Scorline Options: 2-0 or 3-1
Group G: Serbia vs Switzerland (2/12, 9pm SAST)
Serbia:
- Serbia have won one point from two matches as they recent form reads: WWWLD. They're the 21st-highest-ranked side in world football.
- The Serbs led 3-1 against Cameroon after 53 minutes but could only draw 3-3. They created four "big chances" and had 10 shots inside the box.
- Target man Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham had seven of his side's 15 shots, scoring once and hitting the post once.
- For Serbia to qualify, they need to beat Switzerland and hope that Cameroon fail to beat Brazil. They've lost nine of their last 12 World Cup matches, though.
Switzerland:
- Their recent form guide reads: WWLWL. The Swiss sit 15th in the FIFA World Rankings.
- Switzerland frustrated Brazil last time out but eventually lost 1-0. They had no shots on target and made an impressive 27 clearances in the fixture.
- Striker Breel Embolo of AS Monaco got the winner against Cameroon. Against Brazil, he had no shots and just 24 touches.
- To reach the round of 16, Switzerland need a draw and for Brazil to avoid defeat against Cameroon. They've lost twice in their last six World Cup matches.
Predicted Result: DRAW. The Swiss have enough to avoid defeat, which should see them into the knockout rounds.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 0-0 or 1-1
