World Cup 2018: Odds, Updated Predictions for Saturday Round-of-16 Matches
The 2018 FIFA World Cup has produced gripping drama and chaos. From Saturday onwards, when the knockout stages begin, there will be tension too.
The first day of knockout football in Russia is poised to be engrossing, as four heavyweights of the international game are in action. France's clash with Argentina gets things started, while the meeting between Portugal and Uruguay caps off the day's action.
There's so much at stake for these teams, but fans will hope the enterprising and positive football that's been a feature of this World Cup continues beyond the group stage.
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Saturday Fixtures and Odds
3 p.m.—France (+137) (bet $100 to win $137), Argentina (+258), Draw (+204)
7 p.m.—Uruguay (+192), Portugal (+181), Draw (+201)
Odds are according to OddsShark. Times BST.
France vs. Argentina
Despite breezing into the last 16 of the competition from Group C, the mood around the France team is mixed as they gear up for Saturday's showdown with Argentina.
Wins over Australia and Peru came after functional rather than fluid performances, whereas the 0-0 draw between Les Bleus and Denmark will be a contender for the worst game of the tournament when all is said and done. The onus will be on Didier Deschamps to crank up his team in the knockout stages.
As journalist Tom Williams noted, a dull final group game has become something of a trend under the manager:
While they have so much attacking class in their squad, conservatism is set to be the order of the day for France again in this one. It means Blaise Matuidi is likely to start from the left flank and that Olivier Giroud is poised to lead the line again.
Argentina's route into the round of 16 was anything but straightforward, as they recovered from a hammering at the hands of Croatia to beat Nigeria and scrape through. A masterful display from Lionel Messi in the latter game was crucial to the Albiceleste's victory.
Ben Hayward of Goal praised the great man but thinks further improvement is needed against the French:
France are better set up to cope with Messi, and they also have the quality in attack to exploit the holes in the Argentina defence. The Albiceleste No. 10 may turn it on again for his team, although even he won't be able to prevent an Argentina exit.
Prediction: France 2-1 Argentina
Uruguay vs. Portugal
Given both sides' defensive nature, this fixture is unlikely to be the most open we see in the knockout stages.
However, that doesn't mean it won't be fascinating, as Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo will be seeking to breach the best defence in the tournament. Uruguay are the only team yet to have conceded a goal at this World Cup:
That defensive robustness makes them a tough team to tackle, with the Atletico Madrid pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, fitness permitting, indomitable at centre-back. Further forward, players like Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani can be decisive in the final third.
Portugal's game plan is centred around similar traits to Uruguay's, as manager Fernando Santos places a great deal of emphasis on not conceding. However, there have been times when the European champions have been a little stretched at the back at this World Cup.
Even so, as football writer Jan Hagen noted, it's been a long time since anyone got the better of this outfit:
This one is unlikely to be a classic, as neither side will fling men forward in search of goals. Expect both teams to be cautious, to play direct and to hope one of their key attackers can create something from nothing.
Based on what we have seen in Russia, Uruguay appear to be the more complete side. They will edge this one late on.
Prediction: Uruguay 1-0 Portugal
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