World Cup 2010 Bracket: In the Round of Eight, Who Has the Inside Track?

Other than the exclusion of England, Italy, and to some baffled human beings, the United States, the eight best teams in the world are in the Round of 8.

While Ghana and Paraguay provide "Cinderella"-like stories, the other six teams all have a legitimate shot to win the whole thing.  Before we get to the end, however, we have four games this weekend, setting the table for a great final four.

Let's start predicting:

Netherlands vs. Brazil

The best of these match ups is first.  The game Dutch team will bring in a healthy Arjen Robben and a hardy Wesley Snijder.  The Brazilians are the "Yankees" of international football.  They have Kaka and a host of others as well as a back four that can be argued as the best in the world.

This game will be the game of the tournament thus far and quite possibly overall.  It's hard to determine who has the edge.  But I will stick with my pick from the beginning in the Netherlands.  I said they would win the whole thing from the start, and that included this victory here.

It will be good, and maybe even into PKs, but I am saying Van Persie and Robben score and Kaka's late goal won't be enough.

Prediction: Netherlands 2, Brazil 1

Uruguay vs. Ghana

Uruguay has looked the best of any of the underdog teams so far.  Forlan & Co. are rollin' along, but they have a hurdle in the speedy Ghana team.  The lone surviving African representatives have the weight of a continent on their shoulders and the potential to pull off an upset.

But it is going to be too much.  Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez score and Ghana can barely muster a solid opportunity for Asamoah Gyan.

Prediction: Uruguay 3, Ghana 1

Argentina vs. Germany

Oh, another tasty one.  It will be a great one.  Argentina has the notorious weapons with Lionel Messi and Gabriel Heinze.  The genius that is Diego Maradona will have his boys ready for the young, fiesty German side.  Klose and Podolski are the counterparts to the Messi-Heinze combination, and they are no slouches.

But the speed of the South American side has too much firepower.  Germany lost in this tournament in a debacle against Serbia.  Granted, Serbia could defend with the best of them, but they don't have any weapons even close to that of a Lionel Messi or Gabriel Heinze.  It'll be fun, but the Argentines will win decisively.

Prediction: Argentina 2, Germany 0

Paraguay vs. Spain

Hold on before you say anything.  As lopsided as this match up looks on paper, this will still be a great game.  Paraguay lost their best goal scorer in Salvador Cabanas to an unfortunate nightclub incident in Mexico City in January.  He was shot in the head, somehow survived, and is the inspiration for this side.

Paraguay is a fantastic story, making their first run into the quarterfinals, but they couldn't score a goal against lowly New Zealand and got lucky on a Japanese missed PK to get here. Now they face the No. 2 ranked team in the world.  I believe David Villa and the Spaniards win without a doubt in their minds.

Prediction: Spain 3, Paraguay 0

There you have it.  As far as I'm concerned, this has been a great World Cup with great upsets and stories emerging as the tournament goes on.  Other than the sketchy officiating in a few matches, this has been a perfect tournament.

Good luck to the remaining teams, and let's see if the Netherlands-Uruguay and Argentina-Spain matches happen.  Now those would be enticing!