Women's World Cup 2015 Bracket: Round of 16 Format, Fixtures and Predictions

In the end, there were few shocks to come out of the group stages of the Women's World Cup in Canada.

France's 2-0 defeat to Colombia was the most striking result, but Les Bleus still managed to finish top of Group F after their 5-0 drubbing of Mexico on Wednesday.

However, things get very interesting now as the knockout stages begin, with Germany, France and the USA all in the same side of the draw, per ESPN Stats and Info:

Here are the fixtures for the last 16, with Norway's match against England arguably the toughest of the lot to call:

Date	Time (BST/ET)	Fixture	Venue
June 20	9 p.m./4 p.m.	Germany vs. Sweden	Ottawa
June 20	12:30 a.m./7:30 p.m.	China vs. Cameroon	Edmonton
June 21	6 p.m./1 p.m.	Brazil vs. Australia	Moncton
June 21	9 p.m./4 p.m.	France vs. South Korea	Montreal
June 21	12:30 a.m./7:30 p.m.	Canada vs. Switzerland	Vancouver
June 22	10 p.m./5 p.m.	Norway vs. England	Ottawa
June 22	1 a.m./8 p.m.	USA vs. Colombia	Edmonton
June 23	3 a.m./10 p.m.	Japan vs. Netherlands	Vancouver

Favourites Germany and USA look to have relatively easy passages to the quarter-finals against Sweden and Colombia respectively, although Die Nationalelf may be challenged by a side that held Jill Ellis' team to a 0-0 draw in the group stages.

Indeed, the USWNT look to have a fairly decent ride to the semi-finals, as they are likely to meet China in the quarter-finals.

However, Germany look on a collision course to take on the French in the last eight, given the somewhat lopsided nature of the draw, per Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl:

Should the last 16 play out as expected—and France should surely get past South Korea—Les Bleus against Germany is sure to be one of the clashes of the tournament, a worthy encounter for a final, let alone the last eight.

The other side of the draw is seemingly far easier, but there could be an unexpected run from one of the less-lauded sides, perhaps Australia, who did very well to come second in Group D and now face Brazil.

Stage	Predicted Fixture
Quarter-final 1	USA vs. China
Quarter-final 2	Germany vs. France
Quarter-final 3	Australia vs. Japan
Quarter-final 4	England vs. Canada
Semi-final 1	USA vs. Germany
Semi-final 2	Japan vs. England
Final	USA vs. Japan

Hosts Canada have yet to light up the tournament—only scoring twice in the group stages—but they will have the support of a nation as they face Switzerland in the last 16.

A victory for the Christine Sinclair-led side would see them through to the quarters against England or Norway, either of which would be a well-matched opponent for the Canadians, likely producing a brilliantly close match.

Defending champions Japan have flown somewhat under the radar so far in this tournament, but were one of only two sides to win all three matches in the group stages—along with Brazil.

They have to be considered as genuine contenders to at least reach the final, as they are the highest ranked side left in their side of the draw—they are fourth in the world per FIFA.

A repeat of the 2011 final between Japan and USA—when the former prevailed on penalties—is certainly not out of the question.

There is a long way to go yet, though, until July 5's final, and some brilliant fixtures are in prospect. With just 16 teams remaining in Canada, the quality will be higher than ever, but the cost of defeat also escalates.