The World Cup Round of 16 is coming to a close with the last four teams battling it out for the final two qualifying spots that will complete the list of quarterfinalists in the world’s biggest soccer tournament.
The first match will feature Group E winners France and Group F runners-up Nigeria before Group G leaders Germany take on Group H runners-up Algeria. The winners of these two matches will face each other in the quarterfinals. Read on to find out more about these exhilarating matches set to close off the round of 16.
Line: Nigeria (+120) at France (-140), total 2.5 – view these lines
[sc:Soccer240banner ]France has been in superb form in this World Cup, going unbeaten in all three of their games as they finished at the top of Group E with seven points, a goalless draw against Ecuador the only blemish to their campaign so far. Leading the way for France is their star striker Karim Benzema who has bagged three goals for the Les Bleus in the competition so far.
Nigeria, on the other hand, barely made it out of Group F, finishing second to Argentina with four points, just ahead of third-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina which finished at three points. They will rely on CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa to bang in the goals once again with Musa leading the Nigerian attack at this tournament with two goals to his name.
Writer’s Prediction
France, as they have done so far in this competition, will stamp their class over the Nigerians and dominate them in a 3-0 win as the game goes over 2.5.
Germany vs. Algeria (4:00 PM ET)
Line: Algeria (+105) at Germany (-125), total 3.0 – view these lines
Germany emerged from the tournament’s Group of Death with an impressive seven points as they topped Group G and forced a round of 16 clash with Algeria. Thomas Mueller has been impressive once again for the Germans leading the side with four goals as they try to defeat an Algerian side hungry for revenge against Germany.
The Algerians defeated the Germans in their last World Cup encounter in 1982 but were eliminated from the group stages when the Germans and the Austrians colluded to get a result that sent the Algerians packing. 32 years after that incident, the Algerians have an opportunity to get some payback on the Germans and they will rely on Islam Slimani to guide them to victory. Slimani leads Algeria in this World Cup with two goals to his name.
Writer’s Prediction
Germany’s class will shine through as they will pull off a 2-0 win as the game goes under 3.0.
