From my round of 16 predictions, the quarter-final matches shall be as follows:
Netherlands v Brazil
France v England
Argentina v Germany
Italy v Spain
All the big names in football are there! Expect some great action!
And yes, no African teams in the quarter-finals. That's what I predict, because they will face Argentina & the top European teams in the round of 16. No disgrace losing to the top sides from South America & Europe. We shall see if any of the African teams prove me wrong.......
Anyway, let's read on:
Quarter-final: Netherlands v Brazil
In the 1994 quarter-finals, Brazil beat the Netherlands 3-2 on the way to winning the title. Both sides played again in an epic semi-final in 1998, with Brazil again prevailing after a penalty shoot-out. So can the Dutch now gain revenge over those close eliminations? I believe they can. The law of averages suggest that the Netherlands are due a win against Brazil. That could well happen here. The Brazilians will, of course, enter the match as deserved favourites - indeed, they would be favourites against just about anybody. But I think they may meet their match in the Netherlands. Dutch chances of going far will depend on how well they can defend against top drawer sides like Brazil. The Dutch defence is not as well-regarded as their midfield & attack, but their defensive midfielders are very capable of protecting their defence. Furthermore, the Dutch have enough creativity in midfield, pace on the wings & attack to seriously worry Brazil - & that is where the Netherlands can win this tie. Not many teams these days play with true wingers. The Dutch do, & their wingers (Robben & Elia) may keep the Brazilian full-backs busy with defensive duties such that they may not be able to venture forward frequently enough to support Brazil's attacks. With their full-backs kept on the defensive, Brazil may not look as dangerous going forward, & with that the Netherlands' chance of winning are that much better.
Prediction: Netherlands to surprise the Brazilians.
Quarter-final: France v England
France's recent record against England has been good. But all good things must come to an end at some stage & England has a good chance of winning this match. A lot of France's players play in the English Premier League, so both sides know a lot about each other. For that reason, both sides will cancel each other out in many areas of the pitch, & so this match is likely to be low-scoring. France's possible advantage may lie in their playmakers, Ribery & Gourcuff. But Capello, so much wiser tactically than the French coach, will find a way to deal with the threat of the French playmakers. England do not have a genuine playmaker, but they never really needed one under coach Capello. The match could be decided by which side shows the greater desire, & that could well be England. This France side have good players, but they are certainly not as good as the sides which won the 1998 World Cup or Euro 2000. England knows this, & they will not fear France. They are tactically more astute under Capello, & that might just give them the edge in this quarter-final.
Prediction: England to sneak past Le Bleus.
Quarter-final: Argentina v Germany
Argentina have clashed with the Germans a few times at World Cup level. Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in the 1986 final (the last time Argentina lifted the World Cup), but lost 1-0 to West Germany in the 1990 final. Coach Maradona played in both finals. And of course, in 2006, hosts Germany knocked Argentina out penalty shoot-out. Those past encounters will add some spice to this quarter-final fixture, & the match is bound to be intriguing. Argentina did beat Germany 1-0 in a friendly match some 3 months ago - not necessarily a reliable pointer to who will win this quarter-final. This match could feature end-to-end action, as both sides are fairly attacking. Maradona at times may appear more conservative than many other Argentinian coaches, but he has brought 6 forwards to this tournament, so he has no reason to be defensive. Germany themselves are an attacking outfit these days - a far cry from Germans sides of old. This is a perfect platform for Argentine wizard Leo Messi to step up & remind people why he is the world's best footballer. Messi alone is one reason why Argentina has the advantage in this tie. But there are other factors in Argentina's favour as well. For one, Argentina really are much more than just Messi - they also have the likes of Tevez, Higuain & Aguero to call on, which makes their attack better than Germany's. For another, Argentina's players have a bit more experience than the German players. These are reasons why I see Argentina winning this quarter-final & gaining revenge for their 2006 quarter-final elimination.
Prediction: Argentina to narrowly defeat Germany.
Quarter-final: Italy v Spain
Has there been a time in the past where Spain were so clearly, so considerably superior to Italy, as they are at present? Probably not. This is a perfect chance for Spain to underline their superiority & ascendancy over their Latin rivals. Italy are a side in decline, largely due to Marcello Lippi's reluctance to blood promising young Italian players when he had chances to do so. Of course time & time again we are reminded never to write-off the Italians. But when they face up with Spain, their time will surely be up. This is not the Spain of old who chokes in international tournaments. We are talking about European champions Spain, who won Euro 2008 in such scintillating style. At that tournament, they knocked out Italy on penalty shoot-out. This time round, Spain won't need the shoot-out to eliminate Italy. Better Italian sides in the past will find it very hard against the current Spain side, so Lippi's Italy will be up against it. The Spanish midfield is clearly more creative than Italy's, & that alone can decide this tie. But there are other factors, too. Spain's forwards are more mobile & deadlier than the attackers picked by Lippi. And Italy's defence is no longer the fortress it used to be - the fact that they still use 37 year old Cannavaro says it all. I cannot see Italy's defence keeping Torres & co out. Everything points to a Spain win & the end of Azzurri's reign as World Cup holders.
Prediction: Spain to dump the holders.
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