The Last 16!
Fixtures and Results
Saturday, Jun 30 2:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00)
What a game to start us off! France one of the tournament favorites taking on an Argentina side who look lost for the majority of their games but still have star man Messi up front able to turn a game upside down on his own. Can France show champion credentials so early in the knockout stage and brush aside Argentina? Or will it be the same old story for the French and they crash out before they realistically should. I think we will see France step up this time and eventually get their winner to take a 1-0 victory. Argentina looked back to their best in the first half display vs Nigeria but in the second half again, the whole team went missing and somehow snuck over the line again at Nigeria's expense. For the form reasons alone i expect France to win, but i don't think it will be in the same style as Croatia beat Argentina in the group.
Prediction:
France 1-0 Argentina
Saturday, Jun 30 6:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00)
Portugal somehow stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Iran in their final group game which meant they finished 2nd in their group which sets up a tough tie against a wild Uruguayan side. This game should be a fantastic game for the neutral with Cavani, Suarez and Ronaldo all on the pitch at the same time. Uruguay also have finally found some form after their ruthless 3-0 drubbing of tournament hosts Russia in their final group game and looked like the side people expected to see, a dark horse for the title itself in some arguments. Portugal just look very vulnerable at the back, even though their squad on paper is vastly superior to the one that won Euro 2016 so with all that it is going to be an interesting match which i think Ronaldo is going to have a big say in.
Prediction:
Uruguay 1-3 Portugal
Sunday, Jul 01 2:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00)
Spain managed to top Group B after some last minute VAR interventions allowed Aspas goal to stand whilst giving Iran a penalty in Portugal's game. This meant they now play tournament hosts Russia in the last 16 in a tie you would expect plenty of goals in if it is a repeat of the famous Euro 2008 semi final between the sides. Russia will need to dust themselves down quickly after the spanking they received by Uruguay and prepare themselves in fairness for another huge step up in opposition. They will need to brave on the ball as well to get in behind this Spanish side who have shown the odd frailties at the back, especially vs Morocco in their final group game. That being said, it should be Spain's game to lose and if they can get off to a good start in the knockout stages could finally show why they were my Power Rank's number 1!
Prediction:
Spain 3-0 Russia
Sunday, Jul 01 6:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00)
Croatia managed to breeze through their tough group which featured Iceland, Argentina and Nigeria winning all 3 games even with a second string side taking on Iceland. They look like they are finally playing up to their star studded potential with a decent back 4 with experience and a world class midfield in Rakitic,Modrid & Kovacic. However in their way is Denmark who lead by Eriksen managed to get out in scond behind France in Group C. They looked good when they beat Peru but looked awful vs Australia so i am not sure which Denmark will turn up here. If they can somehow get to grips with the midfield of Croatia and stop them playing they might be able to make them sweat. However the first goal is going to be key here as i think both teams will be susceptible to dropping their heads fast. Croatia should have too much for this Danish side and arguably could even be thinking it is there year with how the draw has played out...
Prediction:
Croatia 2-0 Denmark
Monday, Jul 02 2:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00)
A fiery start to the new week as Brazil take on Mexico! These two power houses meet in the knock out stages for a spot in the quarter finals. Brazil had a tough start to this World Cup but seemed to get better and better and dispatched Serbia comfortably on matchday 3. Mexico started off with a mammoth victory over World Champions Germany! However they went the opposite after that eventually saw off South Korea to then get soundly beaten 3-0 by Sweden. They made it through though and will be a stern test for this Brazilian side in knockout football where the nerves play a huge part, as well as for Brazil: Expectation. Neymar and co will need to hurt this Mexican side early and defend a lot better as well to stop the brutal counter attacks that ripped apart the Germans just over 2 weeks ago. For the Mexicans to win this game they are going to need that exact same level of performance for this one and hope Brazil get frustrated on the ball. Neymar will be key as he always is as this Brazil side rely heavily on his influence. Should be a great game this one though.
Prediction:
Brazil 2-1 Mexico
Monday, Jul 02 6:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00)
Group G winners Belgium look a solid unit thus far with their big hitters all turning up and playing to their very high potential. They have scored goals, not lost in 19 games and could be a threat further along in this tournament. They start though against a resiliant Japanese side who have surprised me and surpassed most expectations already. They were in a very tough group with Poland, Colombia and Senegal and here they are, out in second place with victory over Colombia being another huge shock of the tournament. They do have eratic moments in their games where all of a sudden they can't remember how to pass the ball and defend, but they do seem to pose a threat on the ball when they are breaking. Nagamoto's electric pace can spread fear into any defence and Belgium will need to make sure they stop him bombing forward. However i cannot see anyone in this Japanese side stopping Eden Hazard or getting to grips with DeBruyne in midfield, if you can't stop these two you are going to get ripped apart and i fear for Japan here. Lukaku will probably be looking to bolster his golden boot chances as well and set pieces will be key for Japan, they will have to limit Belgium to few if they want to shock the world and advance.
Prediction:
Belgium 3-0 Japan
Tuesday, Jul 03 2:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00)
An ulikely tie of Sweden vs Switzerland kicks off Tuesday's games with Sweden topping Group F with world champions Germany bottom! Switzerland finished runners up to Brazil after a poor 2-2 draw with Costa Rica. Sweden finished the group with a 3-0 spanking of Mexico. These two teams will both be looking at advancing to the quarter finals and Shaqiri and Forsberg for each side will be key. Shaqiri seems to have a knack of scoring important goals for Switzerland and will be looking to add to his record vs Sweden. Forsberg will be looking to keep supplying their tough forwards in Toivonen and Berg. Switzerland will need to defend strongly vs the two forwards of Sweden who can as well run in behind let alone hold the ball up and be strong. This game could be the first one to advance beyond the 90 minutes though..
Prediction:
Sweden 0-0 Switzerland
Sweden Win on Penaldos
Tuesday, Jul 03 6:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00)
Rounding off the last 16 is Colombia and England. Colombia had a slow start to Group H but finally took a stamp on things with victories over Senegal and Poland. However it did takes it toll as talisman James Rodriguez went off injured early vs Senegal and missed the opening game defeat to Japan. They will need him fit for this game as they need all the big guns they can get to supply Falcao and try and punish this England side. Counter attacks will probably be the best form of attack for Colombia as they have a lot of pace in their side and that should be a vulnerability on the left hand side of England. However England will be looking to hurt Colombia with some more set piece bamboozling they have shown thus far in the tournament and hopefully Harry Kane can add to his impresive 5 goals thus far. Colombia will need to defend bravely vs England if they give set pieces away and make sure they don't get turned around the back with the pace of Sterling or the runs from Trippier at wingback. Colombia will be stern test if they manage to get James Rodriguez fit but without him they might struggle, even with the likes of Falcao in the side, he needs supply and Rodriguez normally does this.
Prediction:
Colombia 1-2 England
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