FIFA World Cup 2018 Round of 16 predictions

After 15 days of exciting football action, we have come to the end of the group stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. We witnessed quite a number of upsets during the group stages. None bigger than defending champions Germany getting knocked out in the group stages for the first time in 80 years. Argentina was also on the brink of elimination until they grabbed a late winner to send them through. Just 3 nations finished with a perfect record in the group stages, namely - Uruguay, Croatia, and Belgium. Oh, and who can forget the role VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has played a part in the tournament already. Although a few decisions were contentious, most of them was a right call.

Now after a day's break, the knockout stages will commence. The most exciting stage of the tournament is about to begin. Extra time and penalties come into the picture to decide games and also the 4th substitute rule. If a match goes into extra-time teams will be allowed to make a 4th substitution. Without further adieu let us take a look at the 8 matches over the 4 days beginning on Saturday.

Match #1 - France vs Argentina

Two of the pre-tournament favourites - European giants and 1998 World Champions France and South American giants and 2-time World Champions Argentina, go head to head in the tournament much earlier than expected. Both the teams haven't lived up to their expectations so far. Both teams have an exciting array of attacking talent but have scored a measly 3 goals in the group stages which is certainly a cause for worry for both the managers. They will be looking to make a statement as the business end of the tournament begins.

France start as favourites thanks to their defence which is and has been more solid compared to the South American nation. In terms of attack, both teams are more or less equally matches as they are blessed with exciting talents. France have Griezmann, Mbappe, Dembele, Pogba, and Lemar while Argentina has Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Di Maria and Dybala. As we have seen often when two teams with plenty of firepower go head to head, the team with the better defense has come out on top and hence France could well do the same as they have Varane and Umtiti at the heart of the defense with Kante and Matuidi who shield the defense and both are renowned ball winners. Add to that they have a top class keeper Hugo Lloris in goal. Argentina on the other hand still relies on the ageing Mascherano to shield their defence with Otamendi leading the line at the back, who unfortunately hasn't been able to replicate the form he showed with this club this season so far in the tournament. Caballero was replaced by Armani in goal for their final and must-win group game and he looked much more reliable which should give Argentina some confidence.

Prediction - France 2-1 Argentina

Match #2- Uruguay vs Portugal

The 2nd match of the knockout stages is yet another clash between a South American and European nation. Uruguay finished the group stage with a perfect record. After a couple of 1-0 wins, their attack looked much more threatening as they defeated the hosts 3-0 to top the group. Portugal, the defending European Champions, on the other hand, toiled into the round of 16 with 1 win and 2 draws. They looked far from convincing in their lone win over Morocco as well. They were almost knocked out at the death in their final game against Iran as the Asian nation missed a great chance to score the winner. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty miss in that game could come back and haunt him.

Uruguay start as favourites based on their form. Led by Suarez and Cavani up front and with Godin and Gimenez in the heart of the defence they have the team to give Portugal a run for their money. On the other hand, Portugal is over-reliant on their star man and captain Cristiano Ronaldo who started the tournament with a stunning hat-trick and a goal after just 4 minutes against Morocco but has been subdued and below par since then. It was Quaresma's moment of brilliance which earned them the spot in the round of 16.

The likes of Andre Silva who had an excellent qualifying campaign, Moutinho, Joao Mario must contribute if Portugal is to get the better of Uruguay. Fernando Santos should give more game time to Guedes and Martins off the bench as their pace will be a threat late in the game. Despite the attacking talent at the disposal of both managers, again the team which holds firm on defence is more likely to come on top in this game.

Prediction - Uruguay 2-2 Portugal. Portugal to win on Penalties.

Match #3 - Spain vs Russia

The 2010 World Champions have had a mixed run of form in the group stages and finished as group winners courtesy of more goals scored compared to Portugal. Thanks to a late Iago Aspas goal they salvaged a draw in their final group game. Otherwise, they would have ended up facing Uruguay. The hosts, Russia, on the other hand, started the tournament in brilliant form as they scored 8 goals and conceded just 1 in their opening 2 games before they were brought back down to earth courtesy of a crushing 3-0 defeat the hands of Uruguay in their final group game. The likes of Cheryshev, Golovin, Zobnin, and Dzyuba have been excellent so far but Spain might well be too much to handle for the hosts.

Spain's defence is certainly a worry for Fernando Hierro as Pique looks like a pale shadow of the player he was in the past. Sergio Ramos has been better compared to his compatriot. Azpilicueta would certainly be a reliable replacement for Pique but its unlikely to happen. De Gea hasn't had the best time in goal either as he is yet to replicate the form he has shown with this club over the last few years. But the attack led by Diego Costa and supported ably by Isco, Iniesta, and Silva will prove to be too strong for the hosts. Russia will rest their hopes to hit them on the counter and from set-pieces.

Prediction - Spain 2-0 Russia

Match #4- Croatia vs Denmark

Group C winners, Croatia who finished the group with a perfect record will take on the 1992 European Champions Denmark who finished unbeaten in the group with 1 win and 2 draws. On paper, Croatia certainly has a better team and are in a good run of form as well but the Danes are no pushovers either. Eriksen alone could prove to be a huge threat. Add the likes of Jorgensen, Cornelius, Poulsen, and Sisto they can pull of an upset.

Croatia's midfield is their biggest strength. With Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Brozovic, and Kovacic they have a strong midfield which can dominate the midfield battle against most of the teams. Add Mandzukic and Kramaric's goal-scoring ability they are not short of attacking firepower. Both the teams have reliable keepers which is why it could be a close contest.

Prediction - Croatia 2-1 Denmark

Match #5 - Brazil vs Mexico

Record 5-time World Champions Brazil who had a rather sluggish start to the tournament picked up the pace in the next 2 games as they won 2-0 against Costa Rica and Serbia to top the group face Mexico who will be disappointed to have not won the group after winning the opening 2 games which included an upset win over the defending champions. On paper, it is certainly all Brazil and they are overwhelming favourites to go through. This is the only clash which doesn't involve a European nation in the round of 16.

After not living up to the expectations in the opening game, Brazil got right back to business in the next game although they won courtesy of 2 goals in stoppage time. Any niggling doubts about their form were put to rest as they put in a solid performance against Serbia as a defeat meant they could be eliminated. 2 wins and 2 clean sheets would have certainly pleased Tite.

Mexico were on a high after winning the opening 2 games and looked set to qualify as group winners until Sweden ended their hopes with a 3-0 win in their final game. Mexico's defence will certainly have a tough task handling Neymar, Coutinho, Jesus, Willian and Firmino as they will be low on confidence after letting in 3 goals against Sweden. Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa made a name for himself with a stunning performance in the last World Cup against Brazil and the North American nation will rely on him to repeat that performance and keep the Brazilian attack at bay. On the other hand, they have to hope Hernandez, Lozano, Vela, and Layun finish any chance they get at the other end.

Prediction - Brazil 3-1 Mexico

Match #6 - Belgium vs Japan

Group G winners and European giants Belgium who finished with a perfect record in the group stage for the 2nd straight World Cup face Asian giants Japan in the round of 16. It looks like a straightforward win for the Red Devils considering their form and attacking firepower. They easily won the group by dismantling Panama and Tunisia 3-0 and 5-2 respectively before their second team won 1-0 against England. Japan who qualified thanks to FIFA fair play rule ahead of Senegal has a daunting task on their hands.

A team with Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku, and Mertens in attack is a threat to any defence and considering Japan don't have a really strong defence they don't stand much of a chance against this Belgium side. They just have to hope that Kagawa, Honda, Inui, and Okazaki make something of the chances at the other end although it is equally unlikely as Belgium have a safe pair of hands of Courtois in their goal. Frankly, Belgium's second choice 11 itself will be a huge challenge for Japan.

Prediction - Belgium 3-0 Japan

Match #7 - Sweden vs Switzerland

The 2nd all-European clash sees Group G winners, Sweden take on Group F runners-up Switzerland. Sweden won their final group game 3-0 to ensure qualification and thanks to their superior goal difference beat Mexico to the top spot. Switzerland finished 2nd in the group thanks to their crucial win over Serbia. Based on the form, Sweden looks the better team but both teams are evenly matched on paper and hence expect yet another close contest.

Andreas Granqvist, the Swedish CB is their top scorer with 2 goals - both coming from the penalty spot. 3 of the 5 goals they have scored has been scored by defenders while one was scored by striker Tvominen against Germany and the other was an own goal. It certainly indicates their strikers have to step up. Switzerland's star man Shaqiri scored the crucial winner against Serbia late in the game which propelled them to the round of 16. Xhaka scored an equally impressive equaliser in that game while Dzemaili and Embolo impressed against Costa Rica.

Prediction - Sweden 1-1 Switzerland. Sweden to win on penalties.

Match #8 - Colombia vs England

The last match of the round of 16 sees the 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists Colombia take on the 1966 World Champions England. It will be the 3rd South American-European clash of the round of 16. Colombia finished as group winners despite losing their opening game against Japan. A 3-0 win against Poland and a 1-0 win against Senegal ensured their qualification. England scraped through against Tunisia in their opening game thanks to a late winner from star man and captain Kane before trouncing Panama 6-1. With most of the first choice players rested they lost 1-0 against Belgium in the final group game to finish as runners-up.

Colombia has the strength in attack to test England's defence which hasn't looked really solid so far. Led by the 2014 World Cup's top scorer James Rodriguez who is ably supported by Falcao, Cuadrado, and Quintero in attack they will look to expose England's inexperienced defence. Surprisingly though their top scorer is defender Yerry Mina who has been a threat from set pieces. Both his goals came from corners. The 2nd which was the vital winner against Senegal to secure qualification. As expected Kane has led the line for England, scoring 5 of their 8 goals although 2 came from the spot and another was a lucky goal which secured his hat-trick against Panama. Lingard is the only other attacker to score with Sterling, Alli, Rashford, and Vardy yet to get on the scoresheet. Kane will need more support if they are to have any chance of progressing into the latter stages of the tournament.

Prediction - Colombia 1-2 England