FIFA World Cup Betting Predictions for Quarterfinals

The round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup is halfway over, with two games on Monday and two more on Tuesday. Then the quarterfinals will be completely set, and we are already guaranteed to have some mouth-watering clashes. Let’s take look at our FIFA World Cup Betting update for the remaining Round of 16 matches and what lies ahead for the quarterfinals.

Who’s in for the Next Round, Who’s on the Hunt to Win the 2022 FIFA World Cup Title

Two Quarterfinals Set

With the first four games complete in the round of 16, two quarterfinals are already set. The first quarterfinal next week will feature Lionel Messi and Argentina against the surging Netherlands. Then rivals England and France will meet for a third time in the World Cup, the first since England won 3-1 in 1982.

The Netherlands and Argentina have an extensive history in the World Cup. They first met on the world’s biggest stage in 1974, with the Dutch winning 4-0 in the second group stage. Argentina got the ultimate revenge, beating Netherlands 3-1 in the 1978 final on their home soil.

Netherlands beat Argentina again in the 1998 quarterfinals, and the teams drew in the group stage in 2006. They last met in 2014, with Argentina taking the semifinal in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. This week’s quarterfinal match will be their sixth-ever World Cup meeting, with both teams winning two and the 2006 draw.

This year’s matchup features an Argentina attack with Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria, and Lautaro Martinez against a loaded Dutch squad with Memphis, Cody Gakpo, Steven Bergwijn, and Frenkie de Jong. The goalkeepers will be tested; Emi Martinez made a huge save late against Australia, while Andries Noppert has allowed just two goals in four games this tournament.

England and France have both been scoring machines in Qatar. England scored six in their opener against Iran, then put three past Wales in the group stage and three past Senegal in the round of 16. They have three straight clean sheets and have spread the goals around, led by Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka with three each.

France is led by Kylian Mbappe, who has five goals, most in the tournament so far. Olivier Giroud has three goals, and he became France’s all-time leading scorer on Sunday. Hugo Lloris has allowed three goals in three games, one on a penalty kick.

Round of 16

Two of the tournament favorites are still alive in the round of 16, with games slated for early this week to reach the quarterfinals. Overall, favorites Brazil are expecting a boost as superstar Neymar has returned to practice and should play against South Korea. Brazil has scored just once in two games without Neymar and could use his playmaking in the knockout round.

South Korea scored a later winner to beat Portugal and sneak past Uruguay and Ghana into the round of 16. They will have their hands full with Brazil but will play a disciplined game and won’t be intimidated by the Brazilians. South Korea is also healthier for this matchup, with Brazil losing starters Alex Sandro, Neymar, and Danilo in the group stage, along with key subs Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles.

The winner of Brazil/South Korea will face either Japan or Croatia in the quarterfinals. Croatia made it to the finals in 2018 before losing to France, and Japan grabbed wins over Germany and Spain to make the knockout round.

Speaking of Spain, after scoring seven goals in the opener against Costa Rica, the former champions drew 1-1 against Germany and stumbled against Japan. They need to regain their offense quickly to knock off underdog Morocco in the round of 16. The African side won their group, beating out Croatia, Belgium, and Canada to keep their dreams alive.

Spain could face neighbors Portugal in the quarterfinals as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and company won their group. Portugal face Switzerland in an all-European round of 16 game on Tuesday. The Swiss held strong against Brazil and finished runner-up after beating Serbia 3-2 in an intense affair on Friday.

We already have a France/England quarterfinal and now have the potential for more regional rivalries with Spain/Portugal and South Korea/Japan as quarterfinal possibilities. The draw also includes the possibility of an Argentina/Brazil semifinal and France/Spain on the other side.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?