Predictions for the round of 16 for the 2018 World Cup

With the group stage all but over and 32 teams becoming 16 teams, there are many interesting matches in the Round of 16 and I bet there could be a few potential upsets in these matches. In this article, I will predict who is most likely to proceed through to the next round and who will have to pack their bags and go home.

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#1 France vs Argentina

This is definitely the most mouth-watering clash in this round. Both teams have failed to impress at this World Cup with Argentina needing a Messi inspired win over Nigeria to avoid getting knocked out in the group stage.

There has also been a lot of criticism aimed at their coach Jorge Sampaoli because of his team selection and with rumors of a mutiny in the camp, Messi would be under even more pressure if he is aiming to finally lift an international trophy in what will probably be his last World Cup.

Even though France have undeniably one of the best squads at this World Cup, their coach Didier Deschamps has failed to put this quality into good effect and many times it looks like a team of just 11 individuals with no team chemistry between them.

Their goalless draw against Denmark is a clear example of this. Their star man Antoine Griezman is also not in top form and are too reliant on N'Golo Kante to gain back possession.

I predict France to go through to the next round on the basis that they just have more star quality than Argentina and that the likes of Kylian Mbappe and N’Golo Kante will certainly continue to shine and will turn up for France.

Predicted Score: France 2-1 Argentina

#2 URUGUAY vs PORTUGAL

Can Ronaldo lead Portugal past Uruguay?

This is another very interesting match in which a Ronaldo led Portugal face an Uruguay side that is struggling to find form. Even though Uruguay topped their group with 9 points, they sneaked past both Egypt and Saudi Arabia with 1-0 wins with their dynamic duo of Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez struggling to find their form. A 3-0 drubbing of hosts Russia will surely help their confidence when they face Portugal.

It will not be a big surprise to anyone when I say that Portugal is overly reliant on their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. He has scored 4 of Portugal’s 5 goals at this World Cup and with other big names in the squad such as Goncalo Guedes not living up to their usual standards, Ronaldo will have to do most of the work all on his own. He has a history of being a big game player and he will surely be looking forward to winning another international trophy after the 2016 Euro Cup.

I predict Portugal to go through as Ronaldo is in top form right now while Suarez and Cavani are not. Uruguay’s defense has also taken a major hit as Jose Giminez is set to miss his next match due to an injury.

Predicted Score- Uruguay 1- 2 Portugal

#3. SPAIN vs RUSSIA

Isco will be Spain's key man against Russia

Spain is yet another team which has the perfect combination of youth and experience in their squad but yet again have not performed well in this tournament even though they topped their group, edging out Portugal on goal difference. As good as they are in attack, the same cannot be said for their defense, as they let in 3 goals against Portugal and 2 goals against Morroco. The defensive duo of Sergio Ramos and Gerad Pique are not as fast as others and are thus vulnerable to counter attacks as we have seen when they played against Portugal. This could be their Achilles heel.

Hosts Russia may be one of the surprise packages, netting 8 goals in the group stage. No one expected them to even qualify from the group stage so we can say that there will be significantly less pressure on them as compared to Spain. Although the 3-0 loss to Uruguay was a major wake up call, they will surely cause the Spanish defense a few problems.

I predict Spain to go through but I wouldn’t rule out there being an upset on the table. Russia are the hosts after with Germany's early exit, no team can feel safe.

Predicted Score- Spain 3-1 Russia

#4. CROATIA vs DENMARK

Luka Modric will be looking to boss the midfield when his team faces Denmark

Croatia have been in terrific form, winning all three of their games. Their midfield contains the likes of powerhouses Luka Modric Ivan Rakitic, and Ivan Perisic and they will definitely give any team a run for their money. They also have Mario Manzukic up front and his ariel threat certainly gives them an advantage.

Denmark are yet to show their quality at the field, with Tottenham star Christan Eriksen running the attack for them. With a 1-0 win over Peru and a dull 0-0 draw against France, there wont be much confidence in their ranks and they will definitely have to pick up the pace if they are to get a result against Croatia

I predict Croatia to ease past Denmark into the next round. I feel that Croatia will have to much in the bag for Denmark.

Predicted Score- Croatia 3-1 Denmark

#5. BRAZIL vs MEXICO

With Neymar out of form, Coutinho will be Brazil's star man

Brazil are one of the favorites to win the World cup but haven’t really been at their best. Neymar has come under a lot of criticism due to his antics on the pitch which include diving and exaggerating an injury at the slightest of touches . Yet in their last game against Serbia, Brazil showed glimpses of their best and there is no doubt that this team plays as one cohesive unit. Their passing and ability to find spaces will surely worry the opposition players.

Mexico stunned the entire world when they beat defending champions Germany in their opening game in which they looked like a team with a plan. But in their last game against Sweden, which they lost 3-0, they looked quite the opposite. Such a defeat would definitely have slowed down their momentum. Mexico have a history of getting knocked out in the Round of 16 and even with rising talent such as Hirving Lozano in their squad, it looks like they won't be ending that streak this time.

I predict Brazil to go through as they just have a much better team than Mexico and with Phillipe Coutinho in top form, I expect Brazil to make short work of this Mexican side.

Predicted Score- Brazil 3-0 Mexico

#6. BELGIUM vs JAPAN

Can Belgium finally fulfill their potential?

Belgium are considered the dark horses of the tournament and have a fantastic squad on their hands with big names such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard in it. Even with a team with so much potential, they have always faltered whenever it came to major tournaments, getting knocked out in the Quater- Finals in both the last World Cup and in the last Euro Cup. After playing a weaker squad against England, they will no doubt play a full-strength squad in their game against Colombia.

Japan, on the other hand, should count their lucky stars that they qualified, becoming the first team in the history of the World Cup to have qualified based on fair play. They won 2-1 against a 10 man Colombian side for most of the match but were not impressive in the rest of their games. They still have quality players such as Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa and will no doubt rely on their experience to guide them through to the next round.

I predict Belgium to win as they have a much better squad at their disposal and are in much better form.

Predicted Score- Belgium 4-0 Japan

#7. SWEDEN vs SWITZERLAND

Can Xerdan Shaqiri continue his impressive form against Sweden

With all the commotion on whether Zlatan Ibrahimovich would play in the World Cup or not, no one would have expected Sweden to their group which contained powerhouses Mexico and Germany. They look to be in very good form, especially with their win 3-0 over Mexico. They were also unlucky in their game against Germany, with a last minute free kick from Toni Kroos giving the Germans all three point. They are also defensively solid at the back and are quick on the counter-attack.

Switzerland have also been impressive, with a draw against Brazil and a win over Serbia. Just like Sweden, they are also good on the counter-attack, with pacy players such as Xerdan Shaqiri causing all kinds of problems for the opposition defense. With a squad containing names like Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner in their midfield and defense respectively, they are surely a threat.

I predict Switzerland to win. They have a very good squad and with all of their big names performing. But Sweden might have a few tricks up their own sleeve.

Predicted Score- Sweden 0-1 Switzerland

#8. COLOMBIA vs ENGLAND

Can England captain Harry Kane continue his goalscoring form when he faces Colombia

Colombia had a tough group and still finished first. They have a very well rounded squad but one of their key players, James Rodriguez, was substituted just after 10 minutes due to an injury in their last game against Senegal. Whether he will be able to play is yet to see. Even without him, they have enough attacking quality with Ramadel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado leading the front line and also have young defensive talents such as Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez.

England have been surprisingly good in this World cup despite losing their last game against Belgium. Their squad is young, vibrant and full of talent and have been convincing in each of their games. They are also a lot more threating from crosses and set pieces as they have players such as fullback Kieren Trippier who is amazing from set pieces and players who have ariel threat such as Harry Kane.

I predict England to go through. With Harry Kane leading the race for the Golden Boot, I expect this to be a goal fiasco.

Predicted Score - Colombia 1-3 England