What we have witnessed since the start of this tournament is the exact reason why there is simply no competition like the FIFA World Cup. It is the tournament that just keep giving, where pretenders are separated from contenders. At the end of this round, eight more teams will have their hopes dashed and be eliminated from the tournament. Starting from Saturday, the World Cup switches into another gear – the knock out phase of the competition. All the matches in the Round of 16 should provide us with top quality football.
FRANCE v ARGENTINA – SAT. 30 JUNE 2018, 15.00HRS
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France face Argentina in Kazan in the first game of the Round of 16. The French won Group C with two wins and a draw; the draw against Denmark was a disjointed performance from Didier Deschamps team and we haven’t seen a convincing performance from the French yet. Same can be said about Argentina who narrowly made it through to the last 16 in a dramatic game against Nigeria. There is no hiding place for any team in the tournament anymore so we anticipate both sides producing quality performance on Saturday. Argentina tried to keep it simple in their final group game then relied on Messi magic which we saw in his opening goal but they will be stretched against the French who have power, pace and guile in attack.
VERDICT – Argentina have won their last four matches against France in all competitions while France have kept five clean sheets in their last seven World Cup matches. Leo Messi is the x-factor for Argentina, he has to be decisive if Sampaoli’s team would progress. The Argentine defense hasn’t looked solid, Antoine Griezmann will have a real go at them. This game has goals in it, over 2.5 goals is our prediction.
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URUGUAY v PORTUGAL – SAT. 30 JUNE 2018, 19.00HRS
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A place in the last eight is at stake when Portugal face Uruguay at Fisht Olympic stadium in Sochi. Uruguay topped Group A convincingly winning all three games scoring five goals in the process and conceding none. In this game, La Celeste defense will be up against one of the games’s greatest goal scorer – Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal managed to sail through in their final group game against Iran but will need to improve if they are to win this Round of 16 game. Oscar Tabarez and Fernando Santos are coaches who build their team on a solid defensive structure which means we are in for a cagey encounter and it could come down to the team that blinks first.
VERDICT – This is the first ever meeting between Uruguay and Portugal; we wouldn’t rule anything out in a game that could go all the way to penalty shoot-out. We expect both sides to score during the game at least with Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo on the stage but we are definitely not anticipating a high scoring affair in Sochi. Our prediction is Under 2.5 goals.
SPAIN v RUSSIA – SUN. 1 JULY 2018, 15.00HRS
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Russia got their first real test against Uruguay at the tournament and didn’t come out smelling of roses. Spain won Group B thanks to a late Iago Aspas goal and a bit of help from Video Assistant Referee (VAR). They need to improve in order to defeat the host and a packed vocal crowd at the Luzhniki stadium on Sunday. Spain have the quality to dominate possession, however they have shown defensive frailties which is where the Russians will hope to hurt them. Fernando Hierro’s team still has members of the victorious Spanish era (2008-2012) in their rank, their experience and quality should help Spain navigate the tough moment during this encounter.
VERDICT – Russia have done well to get progress beyond the group stage but I think Spain are a step up in class that will be too much for them. These two teams met at Euro 2008; Spain recorded a comfortable 3-0 win and there is every chance that history will repeat itself at the Luzhniki on Sunday. A win for the former World Champions looks very likely.
We have a special promo on the Spain – Russia game; Spain to win against Russia. Don’t miss it!
CROATIA v DENMARK – SUN. 1 JULY 2018, 19.00HRS
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Against all odds, Croatia won group D in style, Coach Zlatko Dalic was able to rest key players in their final group game and still earned a win against Iceland. Denmark finished Group C as runners up and will be facing a team in fine form. We expect a top midfield battle in Nizhny Novgorod with Christian Eriksen spearheading for the Danes while Croatia can call on several stars including Captain Luka Modric. Both teams are yet to lose in this tournament but Croatia have a well-rounded team compared to Denmark. Denmark will be difficult to beat; they have kept six clean sheets in their last seven matches but Croatia have shown they can play the waiting game when required.
VERDICT – The World Cup has been exciting throughout the group phase filled with goals. However, Denmark managed to be involved in the only scoreless game in the first round and are likely to adopt a cautious approach against Croatia who won the Group of Death. Croatia have already achieved their best result at the World Cup since their Third Place in France 1998 by qualifying to the next round. The Croats look more settled, have an edge in the midfield area which should tilt the game in their favor.
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