A competitive Group H gets underway on Thursday with Portugal and Ghana going head-to-head at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Portugal had to get through a playoff to reach the World Cup, while Ghana enter this tournament off the back of a disappointing group stage exit at AFCON.
Portugal are the superior team on paper, as the odds suggest, but this will not be a straight-forward match for Os Navegadores.
Total Goals: Under 2.5
There has been under 2.5 goals in six of Ghana’s last 10 matches, and five of Portugal’s last seven competitive fixtures. Fernando Santos is a notoriously cautious manager in tournament football, even with an array of attacking talent at his disposal.
A draw is a great result for Ghana here, who will fancy their chances against South Korea.
Neither teams are going to risk too much in this match – we are probably in for another low-scoring affair.
Anytime Goalscorer: Rafael Leão
Milan winger Rafael Leão is yet to score for Portugal.
Expected to start on the flank, Leão has scored six goals in Serie A already this term and places in the 83rd percentile for non-penalty expected goals per 90 from wingers over the last 365 days at club level.
Tariq Lamptey will charge forward from right-back for Ghana, leaving space in behind for Leão to exploit.
With Cristiano Ronaldo failing to score in eight of his last nine caps, there is opportunity for other Portuguese forwards to take centre stage.
Total Cards: Under 4.5
There was under 4.5 total cards in three of Portugal’s last five Nations League matches.
Ghana have seen four or fewer cards in three of their last four competitive fixtures in all competitions.
This game is likely to be relatively cagey.
It will inevitably be lacking the high-tempo play that can lead to thunderous challenges like we have seen in some other matches.
All odds are subject to change