World Cup Post #5 - round of 16

3 more days until absolute bliss. Well, that and the complete wreckage of my entire nervous system and the bombardment of alcohol sent towards my liver.

Before you read on, make sure you read my other World Cup posts to see my predictions for the group stages. Here's the link to the first post and you can start there.

So, according to my group stage predictions, here are the matchups for the round of 16:

Germany vs. Sweden:
This could be a really interesting or really boring game. People who are not to into soccer would quickly choose the Germans to win, but I don't think this choice would be that obvious. The Swedes have good strikers as do the Germans. However, these teams are known for their more conservative machine-like efficiency. Therefore, I see this coming down to a 1-0 finish with a lot of play stuck in the midfield. Someone will make a mistake and the other team will capitalize. I think the Swedes will make that mistake and either Ballack or Klose will notch the game-winner from a setpiece. Result: Germany 1 - 0 Sweden

Argentina vs. Mexico:
If my predictions work out, this could be one of the top games in the second round. Los Tricolores are a talented team and matchup well with other Latin American teams. They beat Brazil in June in the Confederations Cup, with both teams basically playing their full sides. However, I feel that Mexico always has trouble maintaining their composure in the big matches. Argentina is deep at all positions and have the national experience in the big game that Mexico does not. Result: Argentina 3 - 2 Mexico

Italy vs. Australia:
Australia's biggest victory would be getting out of the group stage. That is where the victories stop. Italy is just too talented and fast for the socceroos. Australia will likely bunker down as much as possible early, but once they give up one goal (which I think will happen in the first 30 minutes) the Aussies will be forced to open up and that is when Italy will rain goals down on them. Result: Italy 4 - 1 Australia

France vs. Ukraine:
I think this is where France's age might catch up with them. This is a team that is sometimes lacking in guts and may overlook this surprisingly strong Ukrainian team. If France comes out attacking, there is not much Ukraine can do to stop them. However, if they are timid and force Henry to pull back to get touches, they could be vulnerable. I think this is exactly what will happen. If Ukraine can score first, they will bunker down a little and hold off a French offensive - which we all know is not that hard. Except there is a little problem for Ukraine and his name is Thierry Henry. My prediction is they go to penalties on a late Henry equalizer and go to penalties where the advantage switches to the French. Result: France 1 - 1 Ukraine (France wins 5-4 in penalties).

England vs. Poland:
Poland comes out of a weak group to face an outside favorite. This is where England will show their true talent, control, and speed(sort of). Goals by Gerrard, Lampard and Crouch give the English a pass to the quarters in a lopsided victory. Result: England 3 - 0 Poland

Portugal vs. Netherlands:
If my predictions are correct, this is the best matchup in the Round of 16. Both of these teams have a shot at winning the whole thing. Portugal can win if they capitalize on their speed and if Christiano Ronaldo plays like a man instead of a bitch. The Dutch can win if they push hard out of the midfield and give their 78 quality strikers some chances on goal. Unfortunately for the Portuguese, Christiano Ronaldo is a bitch and Figo is too old. Result: Netherlands 2 - 1 Portugal

Brazil vs. U.S.:
4-0 to the Americans. Yeah right. Look, I love my team and I think they can beat anybody in the world. In 1994, a much more inexperienced and less talented American team bunkered down and lost 1-0 to Brazil. This U.S. team will not follow that strategy. How can the U.S. win? The defenders need to communicate and maintain their composure. Hold the back line, but don't get caught flat-footed. Mastroeni and Gooch need to be physical with the Brazilian scorers and keep them on unsure footing. On the counter, get a very fast trio (Donovan, Beasley, Eddie Johnson) behind the older/slower Brazilian defense. Those guys need to capitalize on opportunities. If this happens, the U.S. can win. Unfortunately, I don't think all of the pieces will come together. It'll stay close, but Brazil will get a second due to a mental mistake by a U.S. defender and a third when the Americans push up to try and equalize. Result: Brazil 3 - 1 U.S.

Spain vs. Korea:
Sorry Korea. No referees to help the hosts. Spain's massive attack will completely overwhelm the Koreans. Korea scores in a valiant attempt, but Puyol seems to be reading their minds and closes down all of their opportunities. Result: Spain 4 - 1 Korea

That means I predict the following quarterfinal matchups:

Germany vs. Argentina
Italy vs. France
England vs. Netherlands
Brazil vs. Spain

However, I have more important things to do right now and will cover those tomorrow.