Neither Serbia nor Cameroon were able to find the back of the net in their opening defeats but the Racing Ppost's Joe Casey expects that to change when the two square off on Monday.
This article was originally published on 28 November 2022
And despite South Korea's attacking troubles in their first game, Joe is also expecting a high-scoring encounter between them and Ghana.
Attacking riches in both sides
What: Cameroon v Serbia, World Cup
Where: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar
When: 10:00, Monday 28th November
How to watch: ITV1
Odds: Cameroon 15/4, Draw 13/5, Serbia 4/5
Despite both Cameroon and Serbia failing to find the net in their opening encounter, it wasn’t for the want of trying and arguably the strongest area of both of their squads is their forwards.
Serbia could only call upon Dusan Vlahovic from the bench against Brazil as he struggles to reach full fitness but he should be in from the start in this match and is likely to line up alongside Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic in this clash.
Mitrovic has scored 50 goals in 77 appearances for his nation and Serbia also have Fiorentina’s Luka Jovic as an option, likely to be from the bench.
On top of that, the Eagles are likely to have Dusan Tadic pulling the strings for their nation and he could be pivotal.
Serbia netted 13 times in six Nations League games this summer and followed that up with a 5-1 victory over Bahrain in their final warm-up game so they clearly know their way to goal.
Dragan Stojkovic is a coach that prioritises attacking quality and that should be on full display against Cameroon.
Both teams fancied to find the net
Serbia are not the only team with an impressive forward line, as Cameroon are also strong in this area.
The Indomitable Lions caused Switzerland problems in their opener, with the direct attacking play of Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo particularly standing out.
He is likely to be joined in a front three by Eric Choupo-Moting, who has netted 11 times in 16 games in all competitions for Bayern Munich this season, and Karl Toko Ekambi, who scored 18 times in all competitions for Lyon last season.
As a result of the attacking talent on display for this pair of teams, both sides are fancied to get on the scoresheet at 19/20.
Competitive game likely between Black Stars and Taeguk Warriors
What: South Korea v Ghana, World Cup
Where: Education City Stadium, Doha, Qatar
When: 13:00, Monday 28th November
How to watch: BBC1
Odds: South Korea 6/4, Draw 21/10, Ghana 2/1
South Korea opened their World Cup account with a 0-0 draw with Uruguay in their first game while Ghana played out an enthralling 3-2 defeat to Portugal.
The Black Stars were a touch unfortunate in that game, as they lost out to a questionable penalty for the Iberians’ opener and saw a potential chance to equalise squandered as Inaki Williams slipped late on with the goal at his mercy after ghosting in behind goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
There was not a great deal in those games to suggest this will be a mismatch and a competitive clash is expected.
Both teams will have targeted this matchup as a good opportunity to take three points and give themselves a chance of progressing to the knockouts, something neither nation has done since they both did it in 2010.
Overs may be overpriced
Three or more goals have been scored in seven of South Korea’s last 11 games and five of Ghana’s last nine matches so it is something of a surprise to see over 2.5 goals priced up at 11/8.
In Heung-min Son, South Korea have a top level goalscoring talent and their opponents Ghana also showed their attacking intent when putting two past Portugal.
Facing Portugal and Uruguay respectively in their final matches of the group stages may focus the mind in this clash as both sides will see this as their best opportunity for a victory.
In the anytime goalscorer market Mohammed Kudus at 7/2 makes plenty of appeal.
The Ghanaian was their bright spark against Portugal and he has scored nine times in 20 games for Ajax in all competitions this season.
