The Predictions FIFA 2014
Brazil versus Chile
Hosts and group A winners Brazil will meet group B runners-up Chile in the first round of 16 matches with the former being unbeaten in the group. They beat Croatia and Cameroon and drew against Mexico. The Chileans beat Spain and Australia and only lost to Netherlands in a game which the Dutch played very defensively.
Prediction: Brazil will surely be the favourites with all the home support but Chile is the test Scolari may have dreaded. Despite two big wins, Brazil were not fully convincing in the group. Chile played well even in their loss to Netherlands and are capable of upsetting the hosts.
Chile to beat Brazil in a close encounter.
Colombia versus Uruguay
Colombia topped group C with a perfect record albeit missing Radamel Falcao and will meet group D runners-up Uruguay who will be without talisman Luis Suarez. The Colombians scored 9 goals in 3 matches while Uruguay recovered to beat England and Italy after their opening game loss to Costa Rica.
Prediction: Colombia have been in better form compared to the Uruguayans and should beat their South American opponents.
Netherlands versus Mexico
Netherlands topped group B with a perfect 9 points while Mexico finished 2nd in group A behind Brazil due to an inferior goal difference. The Dutch exacted revenge on Spain by beating the reigning champions 5-1 in their opening game. They went on to beat Australia and Chile to win their group. The Mexicans drew against Brazil and beat Croatia and Cameroon.
Prediction: Mexico will have more support and will be fancied to beat the Dutch. The Netherlands should have enough quality and experience to beat their opponents.
Netherlands to beat Mexico in a closely fought encounter.
Costa Rica versus Greece
Costa Rica shocked group D as they beat Uruguay and Italy in their first two matches and held England to a goalless draw in their third. Greece were extremely lucky to have progressed from group C after losing to Colombia and drawing against Japan. A contentious penalty handed them the win over Ivory Coast which sent them through at the expense of the Africans.
Prediction: Costa Rica proved to be no pushovers with a series of solid displays while the Greeks were far from convincing. Costa have every right to fancy their chances. They will beat Greece quite comfortably.
France versus Nigeria
Group E winners France will meet group F runners-up Nigeria with the former being unbeaten in their group. The French scored 8 goals in their wins over Honduras and Switzerland and drew goalless against Ecuador. The Nigerians drew their first game against Iran but beat Bosnia & Herzegovina. They lost their last game against group winners Argentina which saw them put up a good fight.
Prediction: France are the better of the two sides and should quite comfortably beat Nigeria.
Germany versus Algeria
Group G winners Germany will face off against Group H surprise package Algeria who will be featuring in the last 16 for the first time. The Germans thrashed Portugal 4-0 in their opener and drew against Ghana in a lacklustre performance but secured top spot by beating USA. Algeria only lost to group winners Belgium and beat South Korea and drew against Russia.
Prediction: Germany will be too tough for the North Africans. Germany to win with very little trouble.
Argentina versus Switzerland
The Swiss finished 2nd in group E and will meet group F winners Argentina. They beat Ecuador in their first game and lost heavily to France but bounced back to beat Honduras. Argentina won all 3 of their matches with their win against Iran coming in the dying moments of the game.
Prediction: Switzerland’s run will come to an end as they will lose to Argentina.
Belgium versus USA
Belgium progressed with a perfect record from Group H while USA lost to Germany, drew against Portugal and beat Ghana. Belgium with all their firepower managed just 4 goals in 3 matches while USA were quite convincing.
Prediction: Belgium will be favourites but USA will have more support. It is a tough one to call but USA could seal a place in the quarterfinals.
The Biggest Losers
Spain (Reigning champions but finished 3rd in Group B)
Ivory Coast (Finished 3rd in Group C but were unlucky to have lost to Greece)
England (Most overrated team, has the “best football league” but finished bottom of Group D with just a point)
Portugal (Finished 3rd in Group G and Cristiano Ronaldo was not enough for them)
Russia (Finished 3rd in Group H with their draw against South Korea costing them dearly)
