A familiar World Cup fixture will occur on Monday when Ghana face United States in their opening Group G match of the 2014 competition.

The two nations have met in the last two World Cups, with Ghana winning 2-1 in 2006, before recording the same scoreline in the round of 16 in 2010.

Four years ago, Ghana were a penalty shootout away from becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, but they have retained much of the same squad.

Ghana also scored more goals (25) than any other team in the African World Cup qualifiers.

USA, meanwhile, secured their qualification for this summer's competition after winning seven of their 10 matches, with that run of results leaving them top of the section on 22 points.

However, United States have kept just two clean sheets in their last 23 games at the World Cup.

Ghana boss Kwesi Appiah has no fresh injury concerns entering the match and is once more expected to select former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan as his lone forward.

Kevin-Prince Boateng, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari will also start in a midfield that is full of European experience, while Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew are also expected to be in the XI.

United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann made the headlines when he left Landon Donovan out of his squad for this summer's competition, but Jozy Altidore has been in good form for his country.

The Sunderland striker is expected to lead the attack with support from Clint Dempsey, while Michael Bradley will start in the middle of the midfield alongside Jermaine Jones.

Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron, meanwhile, is also expected to start, with Fabian Johnson and DeMarcus Beasley deployed in the full-back positions in what is effectively a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Recent form

Ghana: WWLLLW

United States: WLDWWW

Possible starting lineups

Ghana: Kwarasey; Afful, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah; J Ayew, Muntari, Essien, A Ayew; Boateng, Gyan

United Stages: Howard; Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Beasley; Beckerman, Bradley, Jones, Zuzi; Dempsey; Altidore

Sports Mole says: 2-1

Written by
Matt Law

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