TIPS - Korea Republic VS Ghana

[(Korea Republic) Strength]:
1. Son Heung Min, Kim Min Jae and other core players lead Korea Republic's squad. Cho Kyu Seong, who had been absent from the national team due to knee surgery, returned after 1 year and 8 months and scored in his comeback debut, showing excellent form. Yang Min Hyuk, who plays for Portsmouth, returned to the national team after 8 months.
2. Korea Republic defeated Bolivia 2-0 in their last friendly match, winning both of their recent matches, showing improved form.
3. Korea Republic have scored 8 goals in their last 5 matches, demonstrating commendable offensive performance and scoring ability.
4. Korea Republic have won 3 and lost 2 in their last 5 home matches, with a 60% win rate, showing decent ability to capitalize on home advantage.
5. Korea Republic have won 4 of their last 5 matches in AH, showing very ideal recent spread coverage performance that meets expectations.

[(Korea Republic) Weakness]:
1. Korea Republic have conceded 7 goals in their last 5 matches, indicating a significant decline in defensive performance and reduced stability in the defensive end.

[(Ghana) Strength]:
1. Ghana have 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses in their last 5 away matches, with a 20% win rate, showing continued deficiency in winning away matches that needs improvement.
2. Ghana finished top of Group I in the 2026 World Cup qualification (CAF) with 8 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, securing their second consecutive and 5th overall World Cup qualification.
3. The two teams have faced each other 5 times, with Ghana winning 4 and losing 1, holding a significant psychological advantage in head-to-head encounters.

[(Ghana) Neutral]:
1. Ghana have scored 5 goals in their last 5 away matches, showing relatively average offensive capability with overall mediocre performance.
2. Ghana have ended 4 of their last 5 matches with UNDER. This match's data trends in this aspect are worth noting.

[(Ghana) Weakness]:
1. Ghana midfielder Abu Francis suffered an almost 90-degree abnormal ankle bend during a challenge in the last match, diagnosed with two fractures. On November 16, the Ghana Football Association announced his successful surgery, and he is currently in the acute rehabilitation phase. The team have not only arranged physiotherapists for intensive therapy but also plans to send technical team members to escort him back to his residence in France after discharge. However, given the injury, he will likely miss the 2026 World Cup.
2. Ghana lost 0-2 to Japan in the Kirin Challenge Cup, ending their 3-match winning streak, which has somewhat affected team morale.
3. Ghana have conceded 7 goals in their last 5 away matches, indicating significant defensive vulnerabilities.

[Tips]:
Korea Republic's recent form has been steadily improving. After a 2-0 friendly victory over Bolivia in the last round, they have secured two consecutive wins. Their offense has been impressive, scoring 8 goals in the last 5 matches. Although the defense still has flaws, conceding 7 goals in the last 5 games, their 60% home win rate demonstrates the advantage of playing at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

In contrast, Ghana's 3-match winning streak was halted by a 0-2 loss to Japan in the Kirin Challenge Cup, affecting team morale. Their away performance has been weak, with only 1 win in the last 5 away matches, showing significant vulnerabilities in both offense and defense.

They struggle with offensive inefficiency and low effectiveness in positional attacks, while also facing fitness decline issues after the 70th minute.

Although Ghana hold a historical advantage with 4 wins and 1 loss in head-to-head encounters, Korea Republic enjoy home advantage and a more balanced offensive-defensive system.

Combined with Ghana's poor away winning capability, Korea Republic are favored to win at home.

[Recommended]:
Korea Republic (-0.5)