Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session ahead of the team's 2014 World Cup soccer match against Ghana, in Campinas, June 24, 2014 . REUTERS/Mauro Horita
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session ahead of the team's 2014 World Cup soccer match against Ghana, in Campinas, June 24, 2014 . REUTERS/Mauro Horita REUTERS

Portugal and Ghana might don't have control of their own fates heading into the final group match, but expect these two football countries to fight for a spot into the round-of-16 down to the last second. Portugal and Ghana will go for gold on Thursday at 17:00 BST (2:00 a.m Sydney) at Estadio Nacional in Brasilia.

What's at stake?

*For Portugal, a win is not enough for them to advance into the next round. Cristiano Ronaldo and company have to annihilate a tough Ghana squad - four or more goals - to offset the four goals they conceded against Germany in the opener.

"If there is a winner in Brasilia and they take the three points with a healthy advantage, they could still qualify but given that Portugal have scored two goals and conceding six, it does not look good for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co," according to the Telegraph football expert John Ley.

*Like Portugal, Ghana also needs a lot of luck to survive the group stages. A win against Germany could have given them a chance to qualify with a win over Portugal, but Miroslav Klose's late equalizer made qualifying a lot more difficult for them.

Injury Update

Portugal: Fabio Coentrao (back) and Helder Postiga (hamstring) will both miss the final group match. Portugal's striking force is also a man down after Hugo Almeida sustained an injury against the United States, leaving Ronaldo and Eder with lots of responsibility on the offensive end.

Ghana: Sulley Muntari will sit out after already receiving two yellow cards. This allowed Emmanuel Badu to get a spot on Ghana XI.

Predicted Lineup

Portugal (Possible, 4-3-3): Beto; Almeida, Costa, Alves, Pereia; Meireles, Carvalho, Moutinho; Varela. Ronaldo, Nani.

Ghana (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Dauda; Afful, Mensah, Boye, Asamoah; Rabiu, Badu; Atsu, J Ayew, A Ayew; Gyan.

Experts Pick

Also Read: USA vs. Germany Experts Pick, Predicted Lineup, Injury Update & Tactics - 2014 World Cup

Ley predicted a 1-1 result for Ghana vs, Portugal showdown. With both teams trying to squeeze some miracle in Brasilia, these teams are expected to get really brutal on the field. This would result to a defensive-oriented game, which spell trouble for both team's qualification bid.

Meanwhile, Mark Lawrenson of BBC also predicted a nil-nil draw, blaming Portugal's elimination on an out-of-shape Real Madrid striker.