World Cup Round of 16 Preview

The group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup has concluded in Russia. With it goes the defending champs (Germany), the best kit (Nigeria), and maybe the best nickname/dancers (Senegal aka the Lions of Generosity). While we could spend a good afternoon lamenting the fact that both the Vikings of Iceland and the Socceroos have to catch an early flight home, let's shift our focus toward the nations who are advancing. It's time to preview the round of 16, which means that Grant and Troy will give you both the team to root for (since we're experts on that) and the team who we believe will survive and advance now that we've been able to watch these teams play.

Saturday 6/30

France v Argentina - 10 AM - Fox

Grant's Team To Root For - I love Messi, but France is the team to root for here. This is a deep and talented team that includes hairstyle connoisseur Paul Pogba, teenage phenom Kylian Mbappe, and Blaise Matuidi, who is a great player with an even better name. Also, I picked France to win the World Cup before the tournament began, so I'm pulling for them to fulfill my prophecy. 

Grant's Team Who Will Win - I love Messi, but this French team has much more talent and depth than an Argentina team that struggled in its first two World Cup matches.

Troy's Team To Root For - The team to cheer for here is Argentina, and much like Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, it comes in two parts. First is that Messi is so good and has come so close that he almost deserves it. Second is that (unconfirmed) the Argentinian players are more or less coaching themselves, so that's interesting. Plus Messi v Ronaldo in the World Cup would be too legit to quit.

Troy's Team Who Will Win - France is a deeper, more talented team who are in better form, while Argentina has been struggling, which is why the French will be some real happy roosters. 

Uruguay v Portugal - 2 PM - Fox

Grant's Team To Root For - Who doesn't want to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play in this tournament as long as possible? Nothing against Uruguay, but a potential Ronaldo - Messi quarterfinal is too enticing to root against.

Grant's Team Who Will Win - Ronaldo will try to carry this Portugal team to the next round, but Uruguay is a much more complete team with numerous weapons all over the field.

Troy's Team To Root For - My reasoning for this one is similar to Argentina. Ronaldo has won the Euros and many club trophies, but it would be interesting to watch the world's most famous set of abs win it all. Plus Messi v Ronaldo in the World Cup would be too legit to quit.

Troy's Team Who Will Win - Since struggling at times in their game against Egypt, Uruguay has been one of the best and most complete teams in the field, which is why they will advance to the quarterfinals.

Sunday 7/1

Spain v Russia - 10 AM - Fox

Grant's Team To Root For - Russia has actually been enjoyable to watch during this World Cup, but the talented Spanish still easily beat out the Russians in my personal rankings.

Grant's Team Who Will Win - The hosts will be ready to battle and will have the crowd on their side, but Spain is one of the most talented teams in the world. After smashing two inferior teams (Saudi Arabia and Egypt), Russia got lambasted by Uruguay, and Spain is better than Uruguay.

Troy's Team To Root For - I'm torn on this since Russia is the host and have actually been fun to watch but I remembered that España is a lot of fun to say. 

Troy's Team Who Will Win - Russia may have had two great first games but they were against lesser opponents and now they have to face maybe the strongest nation left in Spain, thus I have little faith and tip my hat to the visitors.

Croatia v Denmark - 2 PM - Fox

Grant's Team To Root For - This is a tough one for me. I don't have strong feelings either way for these two teams. Although I like the checkerboard pattern, I'm going to go with the Danish, since I have a friend from Denmark.

Grant's Team Who Will Win - Croatia has been very impressive so far in this tournament, but I'm going to go with Christian Erikson and the Danish.

Troy's Team To Root For - I have very little interest, but apparently since I'm the only person that doesn't really like the Croatian kits, I need to plant my flag and cheer for the Danish.

Troy's Team Who Will Win - Croatia has been extremely impressive so far and I don't feel like Denmark is going to be the one to stop their roll.

Monday 7/2

Brazil v Mexico - 10 AM - Fox

Grant's Team To Root For - Some people might not like me for this, but I'm going to pull a Landon Donovan and root for Mexico here. The Brazilians are like the New York Yankees of soccer, and I usually root against the New York Yankees.

Grant's Team Who Will Win - Mexico is a talented team that will give a spirited effort, but Brazil might be the most talented team in the field.

Troy's Team To Root For - I shall cheer for Brazil unless Wells Fargo wants to pony up enough dough, in which case I shall cheer for Mexico.

Troy's Team Who Will Win - In the past Mexico has matched up well against the Brazilians, but Brazil is on a mission to show they are the most talented team on earth.

Belgium v Japan - 2 PM - Fox

Grant's Team To Root For - This is an easy one for me. I'm a big fan of Belgium, and Japan knocked out Senegal, another team (and manager) I was a big fan of.

Grant's Team Who Will Win - This is also an easy one for me. The Belgians are much more talented than the Japanese.

Troy's Team To Root For - Japan advanced based on fair play so we should cheer them on for good sportsmanship.

Troy's Team Who Will Win - Belgium is better, so much better.

Tuesday 7/3

Sweden v Switzerland - 10 AM - FS1

Grant's Team To Root For - I am a fan of the fish they have in Sweden, but I'm going to go with the Swiss here. They have a guy named Shaqiri and a guy whose last name starts with an X. That's cool.

Grant's Team Who Will Win - Sweden is a solid team, but Switzerland has the weapons to cut through the Swedes like...  Swiss cheese.

Troy's Team To Root For - I am neutral on the Swiss, and I do love Sweden's fish, which is why I will stand with my Viking forefathers.

Troy's Team Who Will Win - Sweden will try to bunker down, but I feel like there's just too many Swiss army knives to not handle that problem.

Colombia v England - 2 PM - Fox

Grant's Team To Root For - I'm a fan of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and co., but I also enjoy James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and Colombia. This is a tough one for me. I'll go with the dancing Colombians.

Grant's Team Who Will Win - The Three Lions have to be weary of the dangerous Colombian squad, but I think England will win in the end.

Troy's Team To Root For - I honestly just want to stay neutral on this one because I feel like it'll be more fun.

Troy's Team Who Will Win - The game against Belgium aside, I really like the way the Three Lions are playing, which is why I give England the slight edge.



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