World Cup 2018: Predicting the Round of 16 Matches

This edition of the FIFA World Cup has been so tightly contested that a spot in the knockout stages had to be decided on fair play points and it promises to get even better in the knockout stages.

This is really a do or die phase in the competition for all the teams and the serious contenders will be sorted out from the ones who feel lucky to have survived thus far.

There is plenty of heavyweight power remaining which should make for a highly competitive round of 16. However, we do have a few mismatches which should help a few favourites to ease into this next round.

Here's how I think the ties in the first knockout stage rank in order of competitiveness and how they're going to play out:

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#8 Brazil vs Mexico

He'll surely be looking to prove his critics wrong in this match.

Mexico has been a joy to watch in the first 2 matches of the tournament and one might argue that given the way they played against the Germans, this match should've featured a little later in this list.

Mexico has reached this stage of the competition for the 7th straight time. However, they have lost on all previous occasions which shows their inexperience at this stage of the game.

However, Brazil is a very strong side with a strong cover for their defence in Casemiro who does a far better job at it than what an old and out of form Khedira could manage in the opening round of the tournament.

They do need to find some sort of consistency in their play if they are to succeed in this tournament but this should be a one-sided affair and the journey of this brave Mexican side will end with a defeat to arguably the best side in this competition.

Prediction- Brazil to win comfortably with Neymar on the scoresheet.

#7 Spain vs Russia

Spain

Spain has not dominated any of their group stage matches in the way they were expected to by many experts. On the other hand, Russia is the highest scoring team in this edition and have proved their critics wrong.

Spain got a late goal to draw with Morocco and were not playing up to the high standards they had maintained throughout the qualifying phase of the competition, though they will be seen as the favourites on their side of the draw.

Spain does have experience losing to an un-fancied home World Cup side, falling to South Korea back in 2002. However, this match will most probably prove to be a one-sided affair just like the one we saw in Russia's last group game where the hosts fell 3-0 to an Uruguayan side led by Cavani and Suarez.

Prediction- Spain to play well and score a late winner.

#6 Belgium vs Japan

Romelu Lukaku is the 2nd highest goalscorer of this world cup so far.

Belgium has been the dark horses for the last few major tournaments and the time has finally arrived for the Belgians to be regarded as one of the favourites for this tournament given their exceptional performance in the group stage.

Japan were lucky to have progressed through the group stage as they couldn't even beat a Poland side that was already out of the competition and wasn't playing well, and their only win came against Columbia who were down to 10 men after just 5 minutes of play.

Japan has shown courage in this tournament but will not be able to match the quality of this Belgium team and the last Asian team in this tournament will most probably be knocked out of the tournament on Monday.

Prediction- Lukaku fails but Belgium win comfortably.

#5 Croatia vs Denmark

They'd look to inspire their teams to a victory on Sunday.

Croatia has arguably the most talented set of midfielders in their line-up who have so far lived up to the expectations that many had from them. However, this Croatian side is wasteful and are up against a Denmark side who are not going to give them many chances.

Denmark can't match Croatia on paper but with stars like Christian Eriksen, Andreas Christensen and Kasper Schmeichel, anything can happen and they showed against France that they are capable of neutralising the effects of the opposition's star players with great efficiency.

This won't be an easy match for Modric and co. but they are expected to come out on top at the end of this match to set up a mouth-watering tie between two sides having some of the best midfielders of this generations.

Prediction- Croatia wins on penalties.

#4 France vs Argentina

Messi's form will be important for Argentina.

Messi has apparently taken over the managerial duties of this Argentinian side and by the looks of it, has done some incredible work off the field as the side looks happy and determined to perform for their country. This, however, hasn't entirely reflected on their performance as they struggled to finish off chances against Nigeria.

France has underperformed in this tournament given that they were the pre-tournament favourites of many experts. However, France has a structure, team spirit and a strong bench, something which can't be said for Argentina.

It is surely going to be an interesting matchup as both teams will play to silence their respective critics but France's attack will be just too strong for Argentina's leaky defence.

Prediction- France to win comfortably.

#3 England vs Columbia

2014 World Cups Golden Boy will look to recover in time to lead his team to an important victory.

Both the teams know that an easy draw awaits the winner of this tie but getting out on top at the end of this one will prove to be difficult for both these teams.

Columbia and England were exceptional in the second round of the group stage but the other two matches proved to be warning signals for both.

England's main problem is their goalkeeper as Pickford lacks the experience required at this level which was on show in the match vs Belgium where he was at fault as Belgium won 1-0.

Columbia, on the other hand, is a well-balanced side but they are sweating over the fitness of their main man and the start of the last world cup, James Rodriguez.

This will prove to be a highly competitive game as two highly unpredictable sides meet in this round of 16 tie.

Prediction- A 2-1 win for Columbia.

#2 Sweden vs Switzerland

Shaqiri

I agree that this match doesn't feature the most skilful players in the world but it surely has 22 determined and highly competitive professionals who have showcased their ability to perform in this tournament while winning over a lot of new fans.

Sweden is a strong side defensively and will look to stop a free-flowing Swiss side who didn't even fear the Brazilians and played their natural game in their opener at this world cup.

It is a difficult match to predict as a once in a lifetime opportunity to play in a world cup quarterfinal is up for grabs for the winner of this tie.

Prediction- Switzerland to win on Penalties.

#1 Portugal vs Uruguay

Cristiano Ronaldo will look to provide a similar moment of magic to lead his team into the quarterfinals of the world cup for the first time since 2006.

I don't expect this to be a beautiful game of football but given the way both the teams lay and their respective problems, this is going to be the most competitive game of this round.

Uruguay has Suarez, Cavani and Godin while Portugal has Cristiano Ronaldo.

Both the teams rely on individual performances which is why they like to drag games into a tight situation where one moment of brilliance is enough to make the difference.

Both teams are criticised for their so-called dirty style of football and are never really considered genuine contenders for the title.

However, this won't matter on Saturday and both the teams would be expected to try and tire the opposition which would surely make for a competitive if not an interesting match.

Prediction- Portugal to win but Ronaldo doesn't get on the scoresheet.