World Cup – Round of 16 Preview
Many say that this World Cup is shaping out to be one of the best ever due to its sheer amount of goals, drama, surprising package performances and of course the occasional bite. With the final group stage matches coming to a close I am going to look ahead to the start of the first straight knockout matches.
Brazil v Chile
The host nations are many people’s team to go all the way but as of yet they haven’t quite set the tournament alight as expected. The poster boy that is Neymar is looking impressive with 4 goals in the tournament so far; he especially looked good against Cameroon as he played with a lovely freedom showing the world his plethora of tricks and flicks. Their weakness is definitely the defence as you would say only Thiago Silva is the only one with real defensive instincts and if they come up against a top attacking side then they could easily be dismantled. However, we are still yet to see the best from them.
Chile were many people’s tip to be dark horses for the tournament and they aren’t disappointing. They grabbed the limelight after dumping the reigning champions Spain out of the tournament with a swiftly impressive 2-0 victory. All eyes will obviously be on Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez to shine and upset the hosts.
Prediction: Brazil 2-1 Chile
Colombia v Uruguay
In my opinion Columbia have been the most exciting team to watch in the tournament so far. I think many eyebrows were raised when Columbia achieved a world ranking of 6 but I bet no one is doubting that now having seen them win all three of their group games beating Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan somewhat comfortably. The attacking flair of Juan Cuadrado, Juan Quintero and the best of the lot James (HAMEZ) Rodriguez really making a name for themselves already.
Well well well, what can you say about Uruguay at the minute, Luis Suarez has for the third time in his football career bitten an opponent which is quite simply utterly disgusting. Admittedly, he must have a problem and needs help because one – it is not as if Giorgio Chiellini did anything to be reacted to, he simply did nothing which makes it more bizarre and two – he must know the whole world is watching him sink his teeth into an opposing player, he is never going to get away with it. With it being his third time FIFA has to punish him severely in my opinion and I think he should be given a year’s ban because it isn’t good for younger kids to see a player of that calibre do something like that and if he doesn’t learn after that lengthy ban then he will never learn. However, FIFA yesterday came out and punished Suarez with a 9 match ban and banned from all football activity for 4 months.
At least our very own Daniel Sturridge prefers a chicken teriyaki and not a meaty Italian…………….
Enough of bite gate and back to the football now and just two minutes after that incident occurred Diego Godin headed Uruguay into the second round to send the Italians home. With Suarez banned I can only see a Columbia victory in this tie.
Prediction: Columbia 2-0 Uruguay
Netherlands v Mexico
The Netherlands has probably been the most impressive team in the tournament so far and are looking menacing. The finalists of four years ago look to have a good balance of youth and experience to go a long way in Brazil. Robin Van Persie is looking clinical with three goals in his two matches including that extraordinary looped header in the demolishing of Spain. The Orange army also have one of the players of the tournament so far in electrifyingly brilliant Arjen Robben who looks a man on a mission. They also have some bright youngsters, including Memphis Depay who has looked impressive so far and must be attracting attention.
Mexico are always a threat in the major tournaments with their gritty battlers all over the park with a touch of skill and flair mixed in. They have only conceded one goal so far due to their solid back five with the vastly experienced Rafa Marquez and the goalkeeper Ochoa, who is a free agent and is putting in some top performances and will have to against the Dutch firepower.
Prediction: Netherland 3-0 Mexico
Costa Rica v Greece
Not many people would have predicted these two nations facing each other in the second round of the World Cup but they are.
Costa Rica who everyone just presumed would finish bottom of Group D with zero points, how wrong could they be as the topped the group with seven points much to everyone’s surprise. However, they have played some really good stuff, firstly seeing off Uruguay comfortably then nicking it against the Italians and finally playing a goalless draw out with whom else but England. The key men, for them are Arsenal’s Joel Campbell, who is bright, sharp and has an eye for goal along with former Fulham man Bryan Ruiz who will be looking to thread the pacey Campbell in behind the powerful Greek defence at opportune moments.
Greece never really looked like qualifying to be honest and were seconds away from going home until Giorgios Samaras earnt his side a last minute penalty which he despatched coolly himself sending them through and the Ivory Coast who only needed a point out.
The way both of these sides have been playing I can only see a Costa Rican victory which astonishingly would see them reach the Quarter-Finals.
Prediction: Costa Rica 1-0 Greece
France v Nigeria
After Les Bleus’ disaster four years ago, they looked to have now steadied the ship with Didier Deschamps in charge after breezing through their group looking impressive especially in their first two games scoring 8 goals.
Nigeria on the other hand shouldn’t be taken lightly after recently giving Argentina a good game. They have some wholehearted committed defenders at the back who are incredibly strong. They also have one of the most highly rated goalkeepers at the tournament with Victor Enyeama between the sticks. As well as a decent defence, on the counter-attack they do have quick skilful players who can punish you with the likes of Peter Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike and Musa who tucked away two lovely goals against the Argentines.
I predict that the French will have just too much firepower and guile going forward for the Nigerians to deal with. Valbuena, Giroud and mainly Karim Benzema look to be in menacing form and finally steer France back into the right direction.
Prediction: France 2-0 Nigeria
Argentina v Switzerland
Argentina are one of the red hot favourites to lift the famous World Cup mainly because they have a little genius who is bang in form who goes by the name of Lionel Messi. He scored two simply brilliant match winners against both Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iran he also netted two more terrific goals against Nigeria in their final group game. This looks to be Messi’s time to solidify himself as the world’s best player doing it on the international stage.
Switzerland have looked fairly average at times so far apart from being thrashed by France. Xherdan Shaqiri scored the second hat-trick of the tournament against Honduras so he will be Argentina’s biggest threat especially as their defence is by far their obvious weakness.
Prediction: Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
Belgium v USA
Belgium who were many people’s tips to be dark horses haven’t really put in a really good performance as of yet. Scoring late goals in all three group games to take the game by one goal won’t have thoroughly impressed coach Marc Wilmots. With so many stars throughout their squad they haven’t seemed to gel just yet and the only player that has stood out for them is the somewhat unknown teenager Divock Origi who is strongly being linked with a move to Liverpool. The main thing for Belgium though is that they aren’t particularly playing well but they are still winning matches, sign of a good team.
USA’s gritty determination and fight saw them qualify ahead of Portugal and Ghana and now face another tough test against the Belgians.
I think that again Belgium won’t play that well but will just scrape through against a courageous USA side.
Prediction Belgium 2-1 USA
Germany v Algeria
The Germans are always going to be there or there abouts in the major tournaments and this one looks to be no different. With no disrespect to Algeria whatsoever, Germany will be comfortable progressing through to the Quarter-Finals. The man who won the Golden Boot four years ago is at it again. Thomas Muller is joint top goal scorer on 4 with Lionel Messi and Neymar. With his pedigree in and around the box and with players around him like Mario Gotze and Mesut Ozil they should have no problems carving through the Algerian defence.
The only glimmer of hope Algeria have is if they do hold out at the back and counter-attack getting in behind the not so pacey Per Mertesacker who always seem to cop the criticism.
Prediction: Germany 3-0 Algeria