FIFA World Cup 2018 Round of 16 predictions

Match #6 - Belgium vs Japan

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