(Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

World Cup Group H Odds, Match Previews, and Tips for Matchday 1

Group H is the only group at the 2022 World Cup to feature a team from four different continents! Representing Europe is Portugal, South America is Uruguay, Asia is South Korea and Africa is Ghana. This group perfectly defines what the World Cup is all about, teams from all across the world meeting in one place to battle it out.

The favourites to qualify from this group are Portugal and Uruguay. Here are the odds for each team to qualify, courtesy of 888sport:

• Portugal- 2/15 to qualify
• Uruguay- 2/5 to qualify
• South Korea- 5/2 to qualify
• Ghana- 11/4 to qualify

There are some caulkers in this group and we’ll be covering them all! Read on to find out the best matchday 1 odds for Group H!

Uruguay vs South Korea

• When? Thursday 24th November at 13:00 GMT
• Where? Education City Stadium, Qatar
• Latest Result: South Korea 2-1 Uruguay, October 2018
• Broadcast: BBC One

If you’ve been keeping up with our World Cup coverage at TVG you’ll know that Uruguay are our dark horse pick to win the World Cup. They are 50/1 to do it and we think they have a real shot at going all the way. They are second favourites to top Group G and they have an excellent squad.

We say it a lot, but having a mix of youth and experience is so valuable in knockout competition and Uruguay have it.

Defensively, they have Atletico Madrid centre back Jose Maria Gimenez, former Atletico centre back Diego Godin and young Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo who will come into play in the knockout stages should Uruguay make it through.

In the midfield department they have Real Madrid star Fede Valverde, who was instrumental in Real’s 14th UCL triumph and offers invaluable versatility. He can be utilised in central midfield, full back and on the right flank.

They also have Rodrigo Bentancur of Spurs and Lucas Torreira of Galatasaray. Bentancur has been in excellent form this season for Spurs and will be hoping to carry this on for Uruguay.

In the striking department they are overwhelmed with options. From former Man United and PSG man Edinson Cavani, to former Barcelona and Liverpool man Luis Suarez to current Liverpool talisman Darwin Nunez. They are truly spoiled for choice. All of these strikers can hurt South Korea’s weak back line.

South Korea’s squad is very weak in comparison but they have one man who could make all the difference. That man is Spurs forward Heung-Min Son who won the Premier League golden boot last season.

Uruguay vs South Korea Pick

You may have guessed that we think Uruguay will win this one. But we do think that South Korea will pose a threat thanks to Son. Our pick is:

Portugal vs Ghana

• When? Thursday 24th November at 16:00 GMT
• Where? Stadium 947, Qatar
• Latest Result: Portugal 2-1 Ghana, 2014 World Cup group stages
• Broadcast: ITV

The news surrounding Portugal’s World Cup camp is the recent Cristiano Ronaldo interview on Piers Morgan uncensored. The 5-time Balon D’or winner has insisted that his full focus is on the World Cup but this interview has caused noise that the Portuguese FA wouldn’t have wanted.

However, football is the focus and Portugal have a fantastic squad. Here’s how we can see them lining up in their opening fixture:

• GK- Rui Patricio
• RB- Diogo Dalot
• CB- Ruben Dias
• CB- Danilo Peirera
• LB- Joao Cancelo
• CM- Joao Palhinha
• CM- Bruno Fernandes
• CM- Ruben Dias
• RW- Bernardo Silva
• ST- Cristiano Ronaldo
• LW- Rafael Leao

This XI is extremely strong and balanced. They have players who take risks and who can maintain possession. Ruben Neves has been superb for Wolves, their top scorer from deep midfield. Bruno Fernandes has been back to his best and Joao Palhinha has been a revelation at Fulham.

In attack, Bernardo Silva will have a free roaming role with Ronaldo and Leao alternating between the left side and central striking positions. Almost everyone in their side is capable of grabbing a goal.

Ghana will have their work cut out and are extremely weak in comparison. They have a decent spine with Joseph Aidoo, Thomas Partey and Inaki Williams but the quality around them is sub-par.

Portugal vs Ghana Pick

We think that Portugal will not struggle at all in this one, they’re never a high scoring side due to the playing style but they will still come out on top with ease. The matchday 1 odds are massively in favour of them. Our pick for this one is:

As usual, let us know your thoughts over at the TVG Facebook. With the match day 1 odds be right? Will the favourites come out on top?

Author: Jude Sutcliffe