Ok, from my predictions for the group stage, the round of 16 draw will looks like this:
1A v 2B: France v Nigeria
1C v 2D: England v Ghana
1D v 2C: Germany v Algeria
1B v 2A: Argentina v South Africa
1E v 2F: Netherlands v Paraguay
1G v 2H: Brazil v Chile
1F v 2E: Italy v Cameroon
1H v 2G: Spain v Portugal
1A v 2B: France v Nigeria
This may may turn out to be be a fascinating contrast in styles - a clash of France's steady, measured football against the frantic pace of the Nigerians. Who will win? I think the French will be the more likely winners. They have enough experience to handle all that the Africans will throw at them. They possess greater class in midfield, where the likes of Franck Ribery & Yoann Gourcuff will provide the creativity that Nigeria cannot match. This could be the match where Nigeria will really miss Jon Obi Mikel's presence in midfield. Without him, France's midfielders will help decide this tie in their favour. Also, France's defenders will not over-commit going forward & should therefore be able to handle the frenetic speed that Nigeria will throw at them. Then again, Framce do have Domenech in charge - a very questionable coach whose tactics & decisions can be bewildering. Despite him, I think France have enough to win this tie, though not by a huge scoreline.
Prediction: France to win.
1C v 2D: England v Ghana
To date, England have never lost to an African side. That record will come under serious threat from a very capable Ghana side. This match could potentially be a good one. Both sides will enter this tie with huge weight of expectations from their respective fans - Ghana because they are playing on their own continent, England because their fans & sections of the British media set very high expectations. The side that copes with the pressure better will progress. With both sides having strong midfielders, tough tackling in midfield could well be the feature of the day. Ghana's midfield are capable of giving England serious headaches. Ultimately, I feel this match will be decided by England's greater experience & Wayne Rooney. It will be very close, though - I cannot see more than 1 goal separating these sides.
Prediction: England to edge out the Ghanaians.
1D v 2C: Germany v Algeria
This tie will revive memories of Algeria's shock 2-1 win over West Germany in the 1982 World Cup. However, Algeria's good work at that tournament would subsequently be undone by the infamous scandalous match between West Germany & Austria, where both sides appear to collude to get a result that ensured both European sides to the next stage at the expense of the Algerians. The older Algerian fans might still be sore about that outcome to this day. Can Algeria achieve another shock result against the Germans? I doubt it this time round. Even though this German side might be young & inexperience, their talent will more than compensate for that lack of experience, at least in this match. Algeria do have some useful players who play in various European leagues: defenders Yahia, Belhadj & Bougherra, wide midfielders Ziani & Meghni & central midfielder Yebda. I'm not sure their forwards have enough to trouble the German backline. By contrast, I cannot see the Algerians keeping out Germany's attacking midfielders & forwards. I can only see only one winner in this match.
Prediction: Germany to win convincingly.
1B v 2A: Argentina v South Africa
If this match were to take place outside of South Africa, Argentina will most likely win comfortably. With home advantage, South Africa may make this a rather close tussle. Pareira, their coach, was formerly a fitness trainer, & he will ensure his players achieve high fitness levels. He is also expected to use the 4-2-3-1 formation, with just 1 out & out forward due to South Africa's lack of genuine top class forwards. The lone forward will be supported by 3 attacking midfielders, but Pareira may instruct the trio to keep the midfield compact to contain & frustrate Argentina's short-passing, possession-oriented game. Pareira is a lot more experienced than his Argentine counter-part Maradona, the one area where South Africa has a clear advantage. However, it is on the pitch where matches are won, & Argentina's players are clearly superior. And it's not just all about Messi, either. The South Africans will contain Argentina initially, but the South American giants will eventually find a way through.
Prediction: Argentina to win, but not by a big margin. South Africa exit with their heads held high.
1E v 2F: Netherlands v Paraguay
Paraguay's aim at this tournament would be to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Unfortunately, they will find the Dutch standing in their way, & with that, their quarter-final ambitions will most likely have to wait for at least another 4 years. By the time this round of 16 match kicks off, the Netherlands will have won their group convincingly & be raring to shine in the knockout stages. And I believe they will, & hence they will prove superior to the South American side. While Paraguay will provide stiff resistance, the Dutch invention in midfield, pace & penetration on the flanks & in attack will eventually decide the match. The Netherlands could be one of the standout teams in this World Cup, & not just because of their bright orange jerseys either. They will be clear favourites in this match, & even if the Dutch don't go on to lift the trophy, very few would expect them to fall at this hurdle.
Prediction: Netherlands to go through in style.
1G v 2H: Brazil v Chile
The only all-South American affair in this round, this will be a repeat of the round of 16 clash at the 1998 tournament, which was won 4-1 by the Brazilians. If Chile are not careful, a similar scoreline could again be on the cards. And therein lies the problem - Chile's football is very open & is tailor-made for Brazil to show their devastating quality on the counter-attack. As if to illustrate the point, Brazil hammer Chile in the last World Cup qualifier played in Santiago between both sides & also in the last Copa America, matches which reports say Chile had a good share of the play. But Chile's coach Marcelo Bielsa will not change his tactics & will stick to attacking football (he is Argentinian after all). Some observers say Chile now plays more entertaining football than Brazil. But it is Brazil who wins more matches, because they can defend very well, have the quality to create chances & have such deadly strikers, as they always do (how else did they win all those World Cups?). They will send the Chileans home.
Prediction: Brazil to win, but Chile to provide lots of entertainment.
1F v 2E: Italy v Cameroon
Yet another Europe v Africa matchup in the round of 16! It's the defending champions Italy against Africa's most successful team at World Cup level, Cameroon. The Italians will benefit from being in the weakest group in the tournament - they won't be too overstretched in the group stages. They will find Cameroon a tough nut to crack. Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o plays for Italian & European champions Internazionale, & so will be very familiar with his opponents. If the African side can create chances for Eto'o, then it will not be that surprising if the Indomitable Lions eliminate the defending champions, especially since Italy's defence is not as strong as it used to be. My feeling, however, is that the ageing Azzurri will make the most of their experience & produce one last hurrah to sneak into the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Italy to win a low scoring game.
1H v 2G: Spain v Portugal
Not only is this an all-European tie, it's the Iberian derby between neighbouring Spain & Portugal. Expect a spicy & passionate encounter. A few of Portugal's players play for Spanish clubs, not least of all the world's most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. He will certainly be keen to make an impression against the Spaniards. Whether he can lead his team to victory is questionable. Both sides look sound in defence. Spain have an abundance of quality in midfield. Portugal themselves are no slouches there, but Spain's midfield is superior. Where the tie will be decided is in attack. Spain's front 2 of Fernando Torres & David Villa are better than of Portugal's strikers. If need be, Spain can call on the likes of Mata, Negredo & Pedro Rodriguez from the bench. Portugal do not have such depth in attack. As hosts of Euro 2004, they eliminated Spain from the group stages. However, this round of 16 tie presents Spain with a perfect chance to gain revenge on their neighbours.
Prediction: Spain to prevail & gain Iberian bragging rights.
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