World Cup 2010 Predictions: Round of 16

My field of 32 has been cut in half as the 2010 World Cup now advances into the knockout stages.  Teams will have to be sharper at this stage of the tournament because one mistake could be the difference between a team advancing and going home.  Who will have what it takes to make it to the quarterfinals?  Here are my predictions for my round of 16 matchups with each teams group finish in parentheses.

Uruguay (Group A winner) v.  Nigeria (Group B runner-up): Two teams that missed the World Cup in 2006 face off in this 1/8 round battle.  This should be a very exciting match as both teams love to get up and down the pitch.  Uruguay and Nigeria could each start three strikers so if you like goals, be sure to tune in.  In such a fast-paced battle, the back four for each team will play gigantic roles.  Uruguay's Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce) has the experience and leadership necessary for a battle such as this.  If Nigeria had John Obi Mikel (Chelsea) healthy for this matchup the result may turn out different, but Uruguay will have the offense from Suarez (Ajax) and Forlan (Atletico Madrid) and just enough defense to move on to the last eight.  Prediction: Uruguay

England (Group C winner) v. Australia (Group D runner-up): England was in this position four years ago and needed a free-kick goal from David Beckham (LA Galaxy) to escape against an upbeat Ecuador squad.  Will it be an easier go this year?  Australia isn't a team that finds itself way ahead or way behind in many matches.  The Socceroos will try to slow down the pace and play for overtime much like they did against Italy in 2006.  It would not be a shock to see this match go into the halftime locker room at a scoreless tie.  England will need some time to feel out the Aussie defense and effective changes will be made by Fabio Capello for the second half.  Australia won't be able to lock down Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) for the entire match.  The Three Lions will convert on chances in the last 45 minutes against Australia and advance with a little more ease than four years ago. Prediction: England

Netherlands (Group E winner) v. Slovakia (Group F runner-up): Now I know what most of you are thinking when you see this matchup.  There is no way the Netherlands can lose to little Slovakia.  Well, everyone was saying similar statements two summers ago when the Oranje faced off against Russia in the Euro quarterfinals.  This match will serve as a trap for the Dutch and they can't get caught looking ahead at a potential matchup with Brazil or Chile.  Even though the Netherlands have been prone to lose to teams they shouldn't, history won't repeat itself this time.  The offensive prowess of the Dutch is too strong for the Slovaks to handle.  Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan) and Rafael Van der Vaart (Real Madrid) will be all over the field and the Netherlands will cruise to a comfortable victory.  Prediction: Netherlands

Brazil (Group G winner) v. Chile (Group H runner-up): In this all-South American elimination match, defense may turn out to be optional.  Brazil and Chile should prove to be an all-out, offensive frenzy as these teams were the two highest scoring countries in South American qualifying.  Even though both teams can score at will, it is definitely more important for the Chileans to get out to an early lead.  Brazil has the experience and depth that Chile lacks so if they did fall behind early, it won't be as big a deal as vice versa.  Chile will get their scoring opportunities, but Brazil is the type of team that will eat them alive because of their overly-aggresive style.  Expect a fair share of breakouts for Kaka (Real Madrid), Robinho (Manchester City), and Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) and a high scoring victory for A Seleção.

Argentina (Group B winner) v. France (Group A runner-up): Argentina and France are eerily similar for the fact that they both have tons of individual talent but lack certain leadership and team chemistry.  The difference is that the Albicelestes have game-changers.  Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) is a very gifted player for France, but has shown the tendency at the club and international level to rely on other players to take over.  The Argentines don't have that problem.  Even if Lionel Messi (Barcelona) is kept in check, France won't be able to contain Tevez (Manchester City), Higuain (Real Madrid), and Co.  This matchup would have had a lot more appeal four years ago in Germany.  Argentina should have no problem moving forward.  Prediction: Argentina
 

Germany (Group D winner) v. Slovenia (Group C runner-up): Germany's offense will be put to the test against defensive-minded Slovenia.  Much like Australia will attempt to do against England, Slovenia will play low-risk football and focus most of their attention on stopping the German attack.  As good as Slovenia's defense is, they haven't seen an attack like Die Mannschaft.  England will be their closest comparison but even they don't have the quickness that Germany does.  Germany has too much speed on the wing with Lukas Podolski (Cologne) and Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen) that it will be hard for Slovenia to keep up.  With the style that Slovenia will be employing, there is a good chance Germany will only need one goal to win the match.  They will get two and make their eighth straight trip to the quarterfinals.  Prediction: Germany

 

Italy (Group F winner) v. Denmark (Group E runner-up): This match will be the polar opposite of Brazil v. Chile.  The winner will most likely have two goals maximum with a good possibility of only one.  Tempo will be critical for Denmark in this match because if they fall victim to Italy's smothering defense, it will be a long 90 minutes.  The Azzurri wont run away with this match by any means, but they have a knack of making a 1-0 deficit look more like 3-0.  Italy will be able to inflict their style and force on Denmark and completely shut down Christian Poulsen (Juventus).  Even though Italy doesn't have the talent it had four years ago, it still takes a very gifted offensive team to take them down.  Olsen's Eleven won't be good enough.  Prediction: Italy

 

Spain (Group H winner) v. Portugal (Group G runner-up): Without a doubt the most hyped matchup of the round of 16 will be between border-rivals Spain and Portugal.  Both teams are ranked top five internationally and the individual talent that will be on the pitch is astonishing.  Spain definitely is the more talented of the two teams, but Portugal has shown countless times over the years that they have what it takes to take down the world's best.  Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) won't be able to do all himself against La Furia Roja, which means the likes of Raul Meireles (Porto) and Simao (Atletico Madrid) will have to share the load.  This will be a close battle down to the referee's last whistle.  In the end, Spain will have too much talent and will win in extra time on a Xavi (Barcelona) free-kick goal.  Prediction: Spain