A magnetic card of games is ahead over the next two days.
BetDeluxe looks at four big games to predict who will win through from the round of 16.
Japan vs. Croatia
6th December 2:00AM
Japan’s intriguing World Cup sees them taking on the 2018 runners-up with a healthy chance of winning.
Ritsu Doan has been exceptional off the bench, and Kaoru Mitoma has been dangerous. Every time the ball gets near him, the Japanese have an energy around them that could lead to anything.
Croatia has been here before and has a very experienced team that could stand up in the heat of a knockout game.
Look for Luka Modric to be a fundamental difference here, with Ivan Perisic a scoring threat as Croatia should win through to the next stage.
Suggested Bet: Same game multi
Leg 1: A shot to hit the woodwork
Leg 2: Croatia win
Leg 3: Ivan Perisic to score
Leg 4: Total Goals over 1.5
Total: $7.00
Brazil vs. South Korea
6th December 6:00AM
Disregarding the loss to Cameroon with a weakened line-up, Brazil has been exceptional so far in this World Cup and is the hot favourite for a reason.
There is some uncertainty around their team, with an ankle injury to Neymar being closely observed. But the Brazilian star should be back to complement the mercurial Richarlison, who has been one of the highlights so far.
It’s a tough ask for a South Korean team that has played above itself. Their attacking style has been easy to watch, and Cho Gue-sung and Hwang Hee-chan can score when needed and will be the focus. But it would be brave to bet against Brazil here, and they should win.
Suggested Bet: Same game multi
Leg 1: Goal to be scored from outside the box
Leg 2: Richarlison to score
Leg 3: Neymar to score
Leg 4: Brazil to win
Total: $7
Morocco vs. Spain
7th December 2:00AM
This is already Morocco’s equal-best performance at the World Cup, with some emphatic wins over Belgium and Canada. The Moroccans have had some strong starts to set the tone, which is their big chance here.
As we have already seen, Hakim Zyeck is their dangerous man and can have an impact from the start. Spain is likely to put a lot into him, so he will need to rely on contributions from Achraf Hakimi and Romain Saiss to slip under the radar.
It’s been a fascinating tournament for Spain with a little bit of everything – a thumping 7-0 win, a draw and a shock loss. But it doesn’t matter how they got there; they are there, and history shows they are more than comfortable once they are in the round of 16.
Alvaro Morata has scored in all three games so far, and there is no reason to think he can’t do it again here. Look for him to slip off the chain and set up a Spanish win.
Suggested Bet: Alvaro Morata to score at $4
Portugal vs Switzerland
7th December 6:00AM
On the surface, Portugal has a significant advantage in this game, with Cristiano Ronaldo a class above all others on the pitch. But the Selecao have been hot and cold in the World Cup and can’t simply rely on one player to get them over the line. They come into this one with two wins behind them, having lost to South Korea after changing their line-up for the last of the group stage games.
They have some injury concerns, with Danilo Pereira unlikely to suit up and Otavia also likely to miss.
Switzerland should be close to fully fit, with some players set to return from illness. They have hardly made a misstep, with wins over Cameroon and Serbia bookending a gallant loss to Brazil.
Xherhan Shaqiri and Breel Embolo hold the key to any Swiss scoring threat. Switzerland has been very even, but the class of Portugal should reign supreme.
Suggested Bet: Same game multi
Leg 1: Over 4.5 corners
Leg 2: Portugal to win
Leg 3: Cristiano Ronaldo to score
Leg 4: Breel Embolo to score
Total: $17
