France Vs Argentina
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: Knockout Phase, Round of 16
Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia
Saturday, June 30th, 2018        10:00AM EST        FOX

Phew!  Relief, the feeling that Leo Messi, his Argentine team, and all of his faithful fans had this past Tuesday.  Argentina rose from the ashes of matchday one and two against Nigeria in game three.  Messi opened the scoring against the African side, and Marcos Rojo of all men put the match to bed in the 86’ with a right footed strike to see La Albecieleste sneak into the knockout phase.  As for France, they finished first in Group C, yet Les Bleus were far from their best in the group stage.  You have a sense that at least one of these nations will begin to reach its full potential in this Round of 16 tie.  Argentina have the world’s best player in La Pulga, but France are not only a well balanced side from back to front, but have speed to burn out wide with Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, and up the middle with Antoine Greizmann to name a few.  Plus Paul Pogba, Olivier Giroud, Samuel Umtiti, and Rafael Varane provide a clear advantage on free kicks, corners, and run of play crosses.  

LSB Prediction:  You add up all of the pros for France and all the cons that Argentina possess, such as La Albeiceleste resulting to their third choice goalkeeper, an incredibly aging side, particularly in midfield, and an offensive strike force that on paper is elite, but in all reality is rather porous with the exception of Leo, and you have a match that favors the French.  Messi has helped produce two miracles so far in this iteration of the World Cup.  The first was netting a hat trick en route to a win and World Cup qualification against Ecuador, and then this past Tuesday against Nigeria.  As much as I want to see Messi hoist the World Cup, I just don't think it’s in the cards for him or this Argentina team.  The better side wins, France.  3-1 France

Uruguay Vs Portugal
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: Knockout Phase, Round of 16
Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Russia
Saturday, June 30th, 2018        2:00PM EST        FOX

By the time this match kicks off, Uruguay and Portugal will know who they’d be facing in the quarterfinals.  What a salivating prospect of Argentina Vs Portugal with the globe’s top two players in Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo squaring off, but as I said, I feel that France will win, and here in Saturday’s game two, Uruguay are the better side for me.  Despite Portugal being the current European Champions, that side that won in 2016 failed to register a single win in regulation during the tournament.  Much like Messi, Ronaldo seems to be the lone scoring option, the only difference is that the rest of the Portugal squad is sound defensively, and keeps a great team shape that strikes on the counter attack or via set pieces.  As for Uruguay, they have a world class two headed monster up front in center forwards Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, as well as possessing one of the tournament’s best center back parings in Atletico Madrid men Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez.

LSB Prediction:  Uruguay look to be a team growing in confidence and quality with each matchday on way to winning Group A and beating hosts Russia rather convincingly by 3 goals to nil.  Conversely, Portugal was inches away from losing to Iran and failing to advance to the knockout phase.  For Portugal, they need another virtuoso performance from CR7 in order to advance to the quarters, and I don't think it'll happen.  Madrid Derby foes in Godin and Gimenez will bottle up Ronaldo and El Clasico rival Suarez will let lose his pistols as Uruguay go on to win this one.  1-0 Uruguay

Spain Vs Russia
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: Knockout Phase, Round of 16
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia
Sunday, July 1st, 2018        10:00AM EST        FOX

At first, and second glance, this match should be the most straightforward fixture of the Round of 16.  It’s Spain, ranked 10th in the world, with the quality of being the third best betting favorite at the start of the tournament, against Russia, who ranks 70th, which is good for being the worst ranked team in the World Cup.  However, as we’ve seen already this go round, games are not played on paper, but rather played on the pitch.  Russia has surprised many by getting this far by reaching the knockouts as a result of winning their first two matches.  The Russians played inspired football, whilst feeding off of their home crowds, a factor that once again will be in play come Sunday.  The match is not only being held in Russia’s capitol of Moscow, but also at Russia’s national team stadium, Luzhniki Stadium.  Thus, the Spaniards better be sharp come the opening whistle. 

Speaking of Spain, it wasn't too long ago that they won EURO 2008, World Cup 2010, and EURO 2012, a feat that has never happened before or since.  In addition to these accomplishments, there are still several players that contributed to at least two of these titles in the likes of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and David Silva.  Couple this collection of absolute class with new comers in Brazilian-born Diego Costa, Italian-born Thiago Alcantara, Isco, young buck Marco Asensio, etc., and without question Spain has a recipe for success.

LSB Prediction:  It’ll be perhaps the most raucous scene of any match we’ll see come the opening whistle as hosts Russia will try to pull of a shocker.  They’ll play with loads of energy, particularly in the first half, but La Roja will be cool, calm, and collected in what will be a classic display of crisp passing, loads of possession, and balls in the back of the net.  4-0 Spain

Croatia Vs Denmark
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: Knockout Phase, Round of 16
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Sunday, July 1st, 2018        2:00PM EST        FOX

Not many predicted this matchup.  I thought both nations would progress, but didn’t think the Croats would win Group D.  But, Croatia has been simply sublime so far this World Cup, as they took the maximum nine points from the Group Stage, highlighted by the 3-0 shellacking of Argentina.  It’s been the fantastic play from midfielders Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic combined with a rugged workman like attitude from striker Mario Mandzukic that have the Croats clicking on all cylinders.  As for Denmark, the Danes got through a surprisingly nervy group featuring a tough Peru squad, wiry Socceroos side, and Group C winners France.  The Danes have some talent throughout the ranks, but make no mistake about it, this team goes as Christian Eriksen does.  If the Tottenham Hotspur attacking mid is scoring and creating, then Denmark often times get the result they're searching for.

LSB Prediction:  Despite neither side being considered a top contender to hoist the Jules Rime when the tournament first kicked off, this should be an excellent match that’ll see the winner headed to the quarterfinals to take on Spain.  I foresee Eriksen being bottled up for the vast majority of the game, but he will strike courtesy of a free-kick op.  However, that wont be enough for the Danes, as the Croats will strike thrice, one before the break, and two in the final 15 minutes.  3-1 Croatia