ALEX CROOK WORLD CUP PREVIEW: Last 16

The World Cup knockout rounds have already provided plenty of drama and that looks guaranteed to continue into the round of 16, writes ALEX CROOK.

After seeing both Germany, and to a lesser extent, the Netherlands slump to surprise early exits and having seen minnows Cape Verde give holders Argentina an almighty scare, which big guns are vulnerable to crashing out in the coming days?

Well, for starters, England have a lot stacked against them as they travel to the Azteca to take on Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning.

Mexico’s record at their mecca of football reads two defeats in 89 competitive matches and the co-hosts are high in confidence after blitzing Ecuador in the last round.

England meanwhile, have laboured into the last 16 and were half an hour away from a humiliating defeat at the hands of DR Congo before captain fantastic Harry Kane stepped in to save the day.

I will have a full preview on that game on Sunday, but suffice to say, I am not overly confident the Three Lions will prevail.

The first game I want to look at in depth for the purposes of this blog is the one I’ll be attending in New Jersey on Sunday as five-time champions Brazil face Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Norway are the only team Brazil have faced and failed to beat having drawn twice and lost twice in their four previous meetings.

I wasn’t overly impressed with Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they snuck past Japan in their round of 32 tie and I have always felt they could be vulnerable, particularly against this free-scoring Norwegian side.

Ancelotti is their cheat code, but given their lack of mobility in midfield and suspect defence I am going to back Norway to win the tie at 19/10 with starsports.bet, particularly if Haaland can get the better of Arsenal centre back Gabriel in what will be a key battle in the contest.

Elsewhere France will have too much quality for a Paraguay side who sent Germany tumbling out on penalties. Kylian Mbappe is my in-running pick for the Golden Boot and is 13/5 with starsports.bet to score two or more goals.

Portugal against Spain is probably the heavyweight clash of the round and having not fancied them before the tournament, I have been impressed with the way the European champions have calmly gone about their business.

Portugal got away with one against Croatia, but I expect their luck to run out here and can see Spain sweeping them aside. France and Spain both -1 on the handicaps has been boosted to 21/4 with starsports.bet

USA versus Belgium is a tough one to call. I was nearly right in my prediction Belgium would go out to Senegal before they staged a late escape act.

The suspension of star striker Falorin Balogun is a body blow for the hosts, but I still think they can take Belgium all the way so I am backing the draw after 90 minutes at 11/5 with starsports.bet.

I also think Switzerland against Columbia has the potential to go the distance and fancy the Swiss to win on penalties at a big price of ? with starsports.bet.

Finally, Argentina may actually benefit from so nearly being humbled by Cape Verde, arguably the story of this World Cup so far.

I expect the holders to be much better against Mo Salah’s Egypt and will be playing Argentina -1 on the handicap at 21/20 with starsports.bet.

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BACK Norway to win the tie 1pt at 19/10 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
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BACK USA v Belgium draw 1pt at 11/5 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Switzerland to win on penalties 0.5pts at 9/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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(JULY 2026): ALEX’S PROFIT/LOSS: o.00 points

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