The big time of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is here with the first of the knockout stages ready to go, and The Gurgler is ready too with our Round of 16 World Cup Predictions and Stats.
Since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is down to the best of the best, we also offer our possible coverage of the first knockout stage.
Our Round of 16 World Cup Predictions and Stats has every game covered with some key stats, and our thoughts ahead of each game.
NETHERLANDS v USA
KICKOFF – SAT 3RD DEC – 18:00 (QATAR) 15:00 (UK) 02:00 (AEDT)
- Cody Gakpo has scored in all three games so far and his total of three goals is equal first for the golden boot.
- Still haven’t seen the best of Memphis Depay, that may be coming this weekend.
- Both sides have conceded only once this World Cup.
- USA won the most recent fixtures between these sides in 2015 by 4-3.
- USA have won 1/7 knockout games and 1/4 Round of 16 clashes at the World Cup.
- Netherlands have never lost a knockout World Cup game v CONCACAF nations. (W1 D1)
- Netherlands and USA are two of only five teams to make it out of the Group Stage without a loss.
PREDICTION
Netherlands 1 USA 0
ARGENTINA v AUSTRALIA
KICKOFF – SAT 3RD DEC – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)
- Lionel Messi has had more Shots on Target than Australia (8 v 7)
- Although Australia’s record in knockout matches is poor – one loss from one – that loss was conjured up by some first class shit-housery from Italy.
- Which reminds us, the last team to beat Australia in the Round of 16 went on to win the World Cup. So good news for Argentine fans.
- Australia’s only non loss v Sooth American side in a World Cup came in their first one in 1974 when they drew 0-0 with Chile.
- Australia have the most number of Clearances this World Cup so far. Harry Souttar is personally second with 20 and Kyle Rowles has 15.
- Harry Souttar is a great Australian hero and patriot.
- Argentina lost their most recent Round of 16 World Cup in 2018, going down 4-3 to eventual Champions France
- Australia have made the fewest number of key passes of the teams left in the World Cup.
PREDICTION
Argentina 1 Australia 1
Argentina win on penalties
FRANCE v POLAND
KICKOFF – SUN 4TH DEC – 18:00 (QATAR) 15:00 (UK) 02:00 (AEDT)
- Poland have had the lowest amount of shots and shots on target of the teams confirmed for the Round of 16 so far. Switzerland are the other team that will give them a run for their money if they qualify.
- France have conceded the fewest amount of fouls of the teams in the Round of 16.
- France are unbeaten in seven games v Poland with their last loss coming in 1982 where they lost twice to Poland in the same year.
- France have won all five Round of 16 games they have played in.
- Poland have lost their only Round of 16 game, but have won other knockout games in more complicated formats of the past.
- France’s record v European teams in the knockout phase in the last four World Cups is W5 D2 L1. Although one of those draws was the 2006 final that they lost on penalties.
- Kylian Mbappe has had more shots on Target than Poland.
- France are doing the work in defence too, they have the second most interceptions at this World Cup behind Iran.
- However, France – along with Japan and Senegal – are the only teams to not register a clean sheet in the group stage.
PREDICTION
France 4 Poland 0
ENGLAND v SENEGAL
KICKOFF – SUN 4TH DEC – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)
- Everything points to an England win. Which is why we’re tipping against it.
- Senegal do have a better win % in knockout games than England.
- England are unbeaten in six World Cup games v African nations (W3 D3)
- Prior to losing to the Netherlands in the first game of this year’s World Cup, Senegal had the same points per game average v European sides as England did v African sides.
- Senegal have had three more shots than England so far, but England have had more shots on target.
- Four of the last five World Cup winners had two clean sheets in their group stage.
PREDICTION
England 1 Senegal 1
Senegal win on pens
JAPAN v CROATIA
KICKOFF – MON 5TH DEC – 18:00 (QATAR) 15:00 (UK) 02:00 (AEDT)
- If Japan get to play France in this World Cup then they will have beaten the previous three World Cup winners in one tournament, which we’re not even going to check if it is a record. Although they’d have to make the final and beat Brazil along the way.
- Japan have beaten two European teams in this years Group stage. Prior to the 2022 World Cup they had won two of 10 matches v European nations at World Cups.
- Croatia (W1 D2) are unbeaten v Asian teams at the World Cup.
- Japan have conceded the first goal in all of their games this World Cup.
- Croatia scored all of their four goals for the Group Stage in one game v Canada. And their first wasn’t the first either.
PREDICTION
Japan 2 Croatia 2
Croatia win on pens
1st BRAZIL v SOUTH KOREA
KICKOFF – MON 5TH DEC – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)
- South Korea have made the most crosses in the Group Stage, only 22 of them were classed as successful by Who Scored.
- Brazil have won 6/7 v South Korea and average 2.3 goals per game.
- Brazil’s record in the Round of 16 is W7 D1 L1. They have never played an Asian team in this round and only a European team twice. Their combined for and against in Round of 16 is an impressive 20-3.
- Brazil are 7/7 against Asian teams at the World Cup with a combined for and against of 18-4.
- South Korea have played five times against South American opposition at the World Cup, and one draw is their best result.
PREDICTION
Brazil 2 South Korea 1
After Extra Time
MOROCCO v SPAIN
KICKOFF – TUES 6TH DEC – 18:00 (QATAR) 15:00 (UK) 02:00 (AEDT)
- Spain have had over twice as many touches as Morocco this World Cup.
- Morocco have lost their only Round of 16 game back in 1986.
- Spain have lost two of their last three visits to the Round of 16 (one on penalties) and didn’t make the knockout stage in 2014 after winning in 2010.
- The last time an African nation won two games in the group stage was back in 1998 with Nigeria. Morocco and Senegal have done it this year.
PREDICTION
Morocco 0 Spain 1
PORTUGAL v SWITZERLAND
KICKOFF – TUES 6TH DEC – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)
- Portugal’s record in the last 16 is W1 L2.
- Switzerland’s record in the last 16 is D1 L3 and their only draw turned into a loss on penalties.
- the H2H record for Portugal v Switzerland at the World Cup is Portugal 4 Switzerland 1 Draw 1.
PREDICTION
Portugal 1 Switzerland 2
After Extra Time
