England v Ghana: Black Stars won't shine plus 9/1 player prop Bet Builder

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Tuesday 23 June, 21:00 kick-off
Live on BBC1
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough

Mea culpa, the adventurous approach undertaken by England last Wednesday surprised.

The Three Lions almost always start slowly and cautiously in their opening commitment at major tournaments. This is true whatever the manager, team or era.

Moreover, it was against their toughest group opponent so a draw would have been acceptable, but a loss a calamity.

In the event though, against all expectation, Kane and co came out to play.

On three occasions they took or regained the lead, adding a late fourth for good measure. They registered 11 shots on target, creating seven big chances. They were merciless in their pressing of an aging Croatian midfield, especially in the second half when everything clicked.

Backing them to fire 8+ SOT vs Ghana at 16/54.20 is therefore a shout, particularly with the Black Stars looking so out-of-sorts in their opener.

When are England's Group L Games?

See below for the dates and times of Englands matches in the group stage of the tournament:

Three Lions to win corner race

Ghana definitely took a leaf out of England's tradition tournament playbook against Panama, starting their campaign unimpressively and ultimately just doing enough to gain the points.

In a game of few chances, the favourites failed to post a single attempt on goal - blocked, speculative or otherwise - until the 48th minute, registering all-too-few thereafter. They were the poorer of the two teams throughout in truth.

Naturally, this absence of invention or intent translated to a low corner count but that's not unusual for the Black Stars, who last won 5+ corners eight fixtures ago, and then at home to uber-minnows Comoros.

England, by comparison, have averaged nine per 90 across their last five outings.

Back-up keeper can frustrate England

Ghana possess the seasoned endeavour of Jordan Ayew up front and the star power of Antoine Semenyo. In midfield, Kamaldeen Sulemana has his moments.

Really though, if we're assessing their negligible strengths, they all reside at the back, even if they have been weakened by the absence of Alexander Dijiku.

They were further impaired vs Panama when first-choice keeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was withdrawn, injured, but his replacement Benjamin Asare performed well in the second period, making three saves.

He made 10 combined in recent international starts against Mexico and Germany and has the agility to frustrate England.

Sensible Bet builder

Ghana can be caught cold early doors, evidenced by three concessions inside 20 minutes in their last seven contests.

England, meanwhile, have gone ahead inside 15 minutes in each of their last two fixtures.

Certainly, if they start with anything like the same intensity shown from 46 minutes on against Croatia they should be fancied to go into the break leading.

A scant number of yellows is also on the cards, a reflection of the tournament as a whole as much as Ghana only picking up one caution per 90 across their last 10 fixtures. An England player was last booked five games ago vs Uruguay.

At the World Cup to date 20 of the 36 games have produced under 2.5 bookings.

Lastly, no to BTTS is a decent shout considering how ineffectual Ghana were as an attacking unit last time out.

Get more England v Ghana tips from Dave Tindall's preview

Player prop Bet Builder at 9/110.00

At half-time vs Croatia, Jude Bellingham's name was being said in vain in Whatsapp groups up and down the country. He was merely a moments player, hyped to the rafters.

A far more constructive second-half showing, however, soon altered the national perspective, the Real Madrid man scoring and putting in a shift defensively to boot.

He made five recoveries and for the third time in four international outings won multiple tackles.

Harry Kane's second meanwhile was also worthy of note, it being the sixth time in seven England games where he has registered a shot on target via a header. With Tuchel placing such an emphasis on set-pieces, Kane's aerial nous is a huge plus.

Declan Rice's forward forays are also a threat, especially as his goal involvements tend to come in two or three game streaks. He converted vs Costa Rica and assisted vs Croatia.

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Two goals for Kane v Ghana will cost Betfair £200,000 - read all about it here