Sportsbook.com Bettors Favor Ghana

The US men's national soccer team proved on Saturday that it can compete with the best as the re-invigorated Americans battled against a strong Italian team for a 1-1 draw. Next up is Ghana, today in Nuremberg, Germany and the Americans are confident they can beat the African nation which is competing at the World Cup for the first time.

Sportsbook.com, the world's largest online sportsbook and casino lists the United States as a narrow 2.20 favorite for the third and final Group E qualifying match. Bettors are not convinced, as the US team has received only 20.5 per cent of total wagers. Ghana is pumped for this match-up, having just defeated the Czech Republic for the country's first ever World Cup victory. Ghana's odds sit at 2.39, and more significantly, 78.9 per cent of total wagers are backing the small African country with the rest of the money resting on a tie.

Coach Bruce Arena finally got the quality of play he expected from his boys in blue. They showed the same flair against the Italians as they did in their 2002 quarter final run in South Korea and Japan. Despite playing one man short for much of the second half, the US squad was able to keep stride with the Azzuri and even generate some offensive chances. The draw gives the US a good opportunity to advance to the round of 16 if the team can pull out a victory over the Ghanaians, who are riding high after their commanding 2-0 victory over Czech Republic.

"After a shaky start, the US squad believes it can get back in to the driver's seat, but Ghana has shown great form in this tournament and pose a serious threat to American second round hopes," said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director at Sportsbook.com. "Everybody bets on the World Cup and you can bet this match is a must see and must win. The tight odds indicate that these two totally motivated teams are going to deliver a very exciting and unpredictable game."

The United States came into the 2006 World Cup sitting at 30-1, but have since fallen to 500-1, the 20th best odds in the field. Argentina with 3-1 odds has emerged as the latest favorite to win the tournament. Brazil, once the overwhelming favorite with 1-1 odds, has dropped down to 7-2, the 2nd best odds in the field, followed by England (11-2), Germany (7-1), Italy (7-1), Spain (8-1), and Italy (12-1).

The US plays its final group match against Ghana on Thursday June 22nd at Nuremberg

2006-06-22