FRANCE VS ARGENTINA:

The World Cup refuses to heed Vanessa Williams’ advice and save the best for last. The round of 16 begins with arguably the pick of the bunch.

In essence, the underachievers face the over-aged, France’s golden generation against Argentina’s retirees in waiting.

In their respective dugouts, French coach Didier Deschamps continues to do a fine Sven-Goran Erikssen, struggling to find the right formation that makes the most of his talented personnel, particularly in midfield. While Jorge Sampaoli persists with a counter-pressing philosophy that seems too fast for his Argentine old guard.

For France, finding the right balance in midfield will be key. N’Golo Kante and Blaise Matuidi promise stability, but Paul Pogba brings the X-factor, as long as he turns up.

For Argentina, their creaking back three must hold firm and hope they can lump the ball to Lionel Messi. The midfield needs to contain Pogba and Co to feed Messi. And everyone else must accommodate Messi. As for Messi, all he has to do is repeat his trick against Nigeria – and play like Messi.

URUGUAY V PORTUGAL:

This is a battle of obdurate defences holding firm and relying on seasoned campaigners to pinch a goal. The South Americans have the superior back four and more options up front. Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez are sharing the load, finding form and scoring in the same World Cup match for the first time against Russia. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, continues to go it alone for Portugal. He’s scored four of their five goals, ploughing a lonely furrow across three tiring games. Without support from Andre Silva, Ronaldo can’t win this one on his own.

SPAIN V RUSSIA:

No one saw the romantic storyline coming from the Russians. Treated with disdain before the tournament kicked off, the hosts surprised everyone, on and off the pitch. Generous hosts and entertaining footballers, Russia cruised into the knockout stages and probably deserved better than a meeting with Spain.

Denis Cheryshev and the captivating Aleksandr Golovin will be pivotal. Indeed, the impudent Golovin looks a lot like a La Roja winger.

Still, Spain trumps Russia in every department except one. The hosts are settled. La Rojaare not. The Spaniards have a shaky defence, conceding five goals during an erratic campaign. Caretaker coach Fernando Hierro should expect a victory, but an early defensive wobble and an intimidating, deafening host nation could make his a nerve-shredding contest for the shaky Spaniards.

CROATIA V DENMARK:

Anyone still feigning surprise at Croatia topping Group A didn’t look at their midfield properly (or Argentina’s for that matter.)

At 32, Luka Modric has aged like the finest of wines, carressing the ball like it’s a loved one, revelling in the No.10 role. If ever an elegant footballer defined the old maxim about the first two yards being in the brain, it’s Modric. He simply thinks faster than those around him. With his guile and Ivan Rakitic’s street smarts, Croatia have a priceless creative combo, ably supported by Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic. With all four in – or closing in on – their thirties, there’s a real sense that’s it now or never.

Denmark, who squeezed into the round of 16, after three largely uninspiring matches, need the excellent Christian Eriksen to have the game of his life if they’re going to have any chance of stopping Modric’s mavericks.

BRAZIL V MEXICO:

The Selecao were my pre-tournament picks and are growing into the competition. By the time of their 2-0 win against Serbia, a smart balance had been struck between defence and attack. More importantly, Neymar has decided to play for his team-mates rather than himself. If this continues and he avoids the dying swan histrionics, Brazil are well placed to defeat a Mexican side lucky to go through in the first place. A 3-0 mauling against Sweden was hardly ideal preparation for a date with Philippe Coutinho, who is quietly turning into one of the players of the tournament.

BELGIUM V JAPAN:

Belgium won all three group games, scored nine goals and beat England in the cynical battle of the reserves. Japan qualified on yellow cards.

It’s probably safe to say that a crystal ball isn’t required for this one.

The pride of Asia deserve considerable credit for being our continent’s only representatives left in the tournament, but they were ‘rewarded’ with a meeting with Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and the outstanding Dries Mertens. Oh and Kevin De Bruyne hasn’t reached his peak yet. He hasn’t needed to. One of the world’s most accomplished midfield craftsmen has been carried by his ebullient team-mates. If De Bruyne finds his range, the Japanese may be used for target practice before the Belgians move on to bigger things.

SWEDEN V SWITZERLAND:

Perhaps unfairly, this tie is considered the weakest of the round. Sweden topped their group, but lost to Germany, who finished bottom. Switzerland qualified second in their group but failed to beat Costa Rica, who finished bottom. The Swedish rock in defence, Andreas Granqvist, leads a gritty, dogged line-up and may have the edge over a Swiss side who consider Granit Xhaka to be their midfield lynchpin.

ENGLAND V COLOMBIA:

Oh, England, even when the path is relatively clear, they will insist on throwing in a few booby traps just to complicate matters. Gareth Southgate’s decision to rest eight players and perhaps anticipate a better draw backfired. His young side take on battle-hardened South Americans instead. Colombia are well versed in the knockout stages. England’s newcomers are not. The fitness of James Rodriguez may prove critical for Colombia, but their attacking trio of Radamel Falcao, Juan Quintero and Juan Cuadrado will still fancy their chances against England’s back three. But the greatest goal threat on the pitch will of course be comic book hero Harry Kane. And yet, he’s enjoyed surprisingly little service from colleagues, with his goals mostly coming from corners and penalties. In the final analysis, the unassuming team-mate over his shoulder might have a greater influence on the scoreline. Kane has the firepower, but Jesse Lingard has the ingenuity to sidestep the South Americans.

Neil Humphreys
Singapore’s best selling author and Football columnist