With second place in the Group still up for grabs for both the teams, this might be a highly entertaining game.
Where to watch –
The match kicks off at 4 PM EST/1 PM PST, and this is viewers in USA can catch this game –
English language: ESPN2 and WatchESPN
Spanish language: UniMás, Galavision and Univision online
Portuguese language: ESPN Deportes or ESPN Deportes+
Referee –
Carlos Vera (Ecuador)
Starting line-ups –
Greece: Karnezis, Maniatis, Manolas, Samaras, Kone, Karagounis, Salpingidis, Torosidis, Lazaros, Sokratis, Cholevas.
Ivory Coast: Barry; Aurier, Kolo Touré, Bamba, Boka; Tioté, Yaya Touré, Serey, Kalou, Gervinho, Drogba.
Greece –
A win for the Greeks can see them eclipse Ivory Coast to that 2nd spot in the table and lead them into the Round of 16. Thus, they will have no option but to go for the win.
Ivory Coast –
They only need to avoid a defeat tonight, which will be enough for them to sustain the challenge put up by Greece. A draw would see them through at the expense of their opposition today.
Statistics –
Greece need to outscore Ivory Coast if they want to go through. However, their primary concern should be that of scoring a goal to begin with. They have not scored a single goal this competition, which makes things all the more difficult for them tonight.
While Ivory Coast have scored 3 goals in their 2 games, they have also let in 3 at the same time. That could give Greece some hope going into this game.
Men to watch out –
The responsibility of scoring goals rests on the shoulders of attackers Georgios Samaras and Konstantinos Mitroglou. They will have to bring their best game out if Greece are to beat Ivory Coast and qualify.
Gervinho has shone for Ivory Coast. His 2 goals in 2 games prove that, and the Roma attacker could be a handful for the Greek defense.
Prediction –
I do not see Greece breaking their jinx up front and scoring today. I expect Ivory Coast to stroll towards a low scoring, but an easy victory.
Greece 0-1 Ivory Coast
What is your prediction? Will Gervinho score today too? Share your thoughts with us in the ‘Comments’ section below!
