The round of 16 is upon us, time for some predictions. Don't forget I'm german, so my bias will probably show.
Top 5 teams of the group stages:
France
Netherlands
Chile
Germany
Colombia
1. Brazil - Chile
Brazil relies mainly on their strong back-line and Neymar, who played an excellent WC so far. Chile are a true dark horse, play like a team, and have a few highly underrated star players in their ranks.
Eventual winner: Brazil
This is a tough one. Even though I want to give the win to Chile, I suspect Brazil will pull through with the home crowd behind them. Have a critical eye on the referee, we might see a penalty for Brazil here.
2. Colombia - Uruguay
Colombia had a strong showing in the group stages, and Who's favorite playmaker James Rodriguez did not disappoint. Uruguay played gutsy, but their wins came against two disappointing sides in Italy and England.
Eventual winner: Colombia
Usually an even contest, I can't see Uruguay winning this one, not with Suarez suspended.
3. Netherlands - Mexico
Netherlands showed some fantastic performances in the group stage, mainly in their 5-1 thrashing of Spain, but also looked shaky against Australia. Mexico is one of the surprise teams of this WC, so far, with strong team performances and some incredible saves by their goalie, Ochoa.
Eventual winner: Netherlands
Even though I'm hoping for a Mexico win, the combined offensive power of Robben and van Persie, plus a world class coach in van Gaal should be enough for the Netherlands to win this match.
4. Costa Rica - Greece
Costa Rica, much like Mexico, is one of the surprise teams of this tournament, impressing with defensive tenacity and gutsy combinations going forward, especially in their match against Italy. Greece didn't play good, but when do they ever? Count them out at your own peril.
Eventual winner: Greece
I have Greece winning this one. Judging both teams purely by their performances in the group stage, Costa Rica should be the favourite, which might be just enough hype to help the perennial underdog Greece to pull this one out. It's not the most sound logic, but sometimes you have to go with your guts, much like Greece.
5. France - Nigeria
France was probably the strongest team in the group stages, and Benzema seems to be in the form of his life. Nigeria is one of only two african teams to qualify for the round of 16, ahead of two rather weak sides in Bosnia and Iran
Eventual winner: France
I just don't see how Nigeria can pull this one out. France has too much quality throughout their team, and they are one of the few european sides who seem to have adjusted well to the brazilian conditions.
6. Germany - Algeria
The german team impressed more through hard work than technical brilliance, although their performance against Portugal was impressive, red card or not. Their comeback against Ghana showed they have more fight in them than people expected. Algeria, the other african team to qualify for the knock-out stages, has some strong players up front, but are certainly one of the weaker sides left in the tourney.
Eventual winner: Germany
Sorry, LDCF, but I think both african teams will go home after this round. Much like the France-Algeria match, Germany simply has too much quality through-out their team. Anything but a Germany win would be a historical upset.
7. Argentina - Switzerland
Argentina qualified with the maximum of 9 points from the group stage, while Switzerland was on the receiving end of a 5-2 thrashing by France, a game they probably could've won with an even bigger margin. Although Argentina showed some tactical weaknesses, they still have the best player in the world playing for them.
Eventual winner: Argentina
I'm going with the safe pick here. Argentina, even on an off-day, simply has too much quality for a Switzerland side which looked rather disjointed for the bigger part of this tourney.
8. Belgium - USA
Belgium was one of the dark horses before the tourney, fielding one of the individually strongest teams in their history. All their goals came from substitutions, which suggests a certain depth to their team, too. The USMNT qualified from group G with three gutsy performances, which showed their fighting spirit, and a very organized approach, which they executed perfectly, the late OT goal against Portugal nonwithstanding.
Eventual winner: USA
My gut tells me this run is not over for the US team, yet. Belgium showed tactical weaknesses, and qualified from one of the weakest groups, while the US fought their way through one of the toughest groups of this WC. If they keep fighting like they did so far, they can pull this one out.
Predicted matches in the quarter-finals:
Brazil - Colombia
Netherlands - Greece
France - Germany
Argentina - USA
