Football Bet of the Day: Colombia can cruise through

Colombia take on Ghana for a spot in the last 16 of the World Cup (Friday 8:30pm local, Saturday 2:30am BST, ITV 1) and the first knockout round continues in Kansas City. Los Cafeteros outpointed Portugal at the top of Group K and they were rewarded with a fairly kind draw in the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

The Black Stars were able to beat Panama and pick up a point against England to progress and the Black Stars will be hoping to deliver more success in North America. Read on for my Football Bet of the Day for Friday 3 July...

Colombia vs Ghana Odds

Ghana deserve credit for progressing from the group stage of the World Cup and that would have been the minimum target of the Black Stars at the start of the tournament.

Carlos Queiroz's men put in resolute defensive displays to beat Panama 1-0 and hold England to a 0-0 draw, but Ghana have failed to impress in other areas and relying on keeping a clean sheet to win matches is a dangerous game.

The Black Stars hit just two shots on target in their last-gasp 1-0 win over Panama and that was a fortunate success.

Ghana registered only two efforts all told in their 0-0 draw with England and Derrick Luckassen's goal against Croatia was the only time Queiroz's men struck a shot on target in that 2-1 loss.

The former Portugal manager is a hugely defence-minded coach and that may not cut it against the attacking pace and verve of Colombia.

Los Cafeteros registered 15 efforts on goal in their opening 3-1 win over Uzbekistan and that was followed by 20 strikes in the 1-0 success against DR Congo.

Nestor Lorenzo's men were clearly the better side in the 0-0 draw with a top-level Portugal side, winning the shot count 24-13 and putting up expected goals figures of 1.70 to 0.93.

The level of Colombia's performance in their final group stage contest is a good indicator of where Los Cafeteros can peak and that level is likely to be too good for Ghana.

Luis Suarez, Luis Diaz, Jhon Arias and James Rodriguez are excellent attacking options, who have the movement and running power to pull the Ghana defence apart.

At the back, Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez and Jhon Lucumi are good defensive options, who have the pace to guard against any Ghana counterattack.

Colombia look rock-solid 8/15 chances to win the Kansas tie in 90 minutes, but backing Los Cafeteros to win to nil at 11/10 rates a better value play.

Lorenzo's men rate as serious World Cup contenders and can see off a Ghana side who carried very little attacking threat in the group stage.

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Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.

Sub Switch

Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.