Host state: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio world cup 5 world cup Live, BBC Sounds and world cup the BBC Sport website and app. Day-through-day TV listings – Full insurance info
There are some mouth-watering fit-usain the quarter-finals of the World Cup – however will there be any greater shocks?
world cup class=”” records-reactid=”.535acyvgqk.0.zero.zero.1.$paragraph-3.zero”>Morocco are the surprise package in the remaining eight, and have already crushed European giants Belgium and Spain on their manner to this degree – can world cup they add Portugal to the list?
world cup elegance=”” facts-reactid=”.535acyvgqk.zero.zero.0.1.$paragraph-four”>”I recognise many humans do not assume it, but I’ve were given a coronary world cup heart,” stated BBC Sport football professional Chris Sutton. “And my heart goes to rule my head with my prediction for that tie.”
Sutton is predicting the final results of each gamein Qatar.
Penalties have been his undoing in of the eight final-16 ties – he picked the wrong group every time to be triumphant at spot-kicks – however he nevertheless effectively guessed the winner in 5 world cup matches.
That was sufficient to keep his fifty five% success fee inside the event, after he selected the proper outcome in 26 of the 48 institution video world cup games.
Before the World Cup started out, Sutton selected 12 of the 16 groups that advanced to the first knockout degree, together with France, his choose to win the event, and England, who he thinks will attain the cease in their street on Saturday.Friday, 9 DecCroatia v Brazilx-x0-3Netherlands v Argentinax-x2-1Saturday, 10 DecMorocco v Portugalx-x1-0England v Francex-x1-2Friday, 9 December
Croatia v Brazil (Education City, 15:00 GMT)
I’ve labored as a co-commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live at all four of Brazil’s games at this World Cup, and no team has clearly long gone toe to toe with them but.
Each in their group video games began with groups sitting in – protecting deep with a low block – and two of the 3 groups they played, Serbia and Switzerland, did not control a shot on course.
The difference when they performed South Korea inside the ultimate sixteen changed into that they scored an early intention in a knockout tie, which opened the sport up – and it turned into 3-0 and over earlier than the half-hour mark.
Having Neymar back from harm world cup without a doubt helped Brazil in that in shape, and they made a chunk of a statement with the manner of their victory.
If all of us doubted they might win this World Cup, they won’t any more. They flexed their muscles and stated: ‘Things are getting serious and we are prepared.’
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Croatia will play with balance, as opposed to massed defence – but they in reality might not be on the the front foot.
They handiest simply got world cup past Japan within the final spherical, but that wasn’t the primary time they observed a manner to get world cup via a sport.
I world cup cannot see them going any further, though. They have got some excellent gamers – young and old – however Brazil will be too strong.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-3
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Netherlands v Argentina (Lusail Iconic Stadium, 19:00 GMT)
Whoever wins this tie, it’s far probably to mean the end of the road for at least one footballing legend at a World Cup.
Netherlands train Louis van Gaal might be in his remaining task in control, whilst that is nearly sincerely Argentina icon Lionel Messi’s final tournament in this degree.
Van Gaal is doing matters otherwise to the world cup traditional 4-three-three the Dutch typically play, however they have been powerful, despite the fact that they may be now not precisely beautiful to look at inside the manner their wonderful teams of the past were.
Argentina have played with a touch world cup extra panache on their manner to this level, helped by a few portions of brilliance from Messi. but they are a team with problems in their personal.
You can really get at them and create possibilities, and I sense like Netherlands forwards Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo would possibly get a few accurate possibilities.
Have I stated before now that the Netherlands are my left-area pick out for the event? As I said, they do not play the prettiest football, however they get the job performed. I’m sticking with them here, too.
Argentina’s fans are the excellent at this World Cup; they’re clearly the loudest. Any crew with Messi of their side won’t pass quietly, but they might be heading home quickly.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
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Saturday, 10 December
Morocco v Portugal (Al Thumama Stadium, 15:00 GMT)
Bringing in Goncalo Ramos for Cristiano Ronaldo became a tremendous pick out via Portugal manager Fernando Santos for their win over Switzerland within the final sixteen.
I like that form of sturdy control after Ronaldo’s behaviour when he become taken off throughout their defeat by South Korea at the quit of the institution level.
Like Manchester United, Portugal appear to be higher off without Ronaldo.
They were so superb towards the Swiss, which was a big wonder to me – however then I didn’t understand Ronaldo wouldn’t start.
Morocco are going to find this game lots harder than preventing Belgium or Spain, but they’re fantastic-organised defensively – they’ve best conceded one aim at this World Cup – and extremely competitive on the destroy.
It concerns me that they is probably without West Ham United’s Nayef Aguerd, who got here off injured in opposition to Spain and is one of their key defenders.
But I actually need Morocco to go even though – their enthusiasts are great and it might be a sensational story for them to reach the world cup semi-finals.
My head is telling me Portugal, because they’re bubbling with self belief now, but I am a bit of an old romantic – and I am going to follow my heart here.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-zero
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