Day 16 Fearless Predictions

Now the excitement begins with the knock-out stages as every team needs to play an entire 90 minutes in order to advance to the next round. Unfortunately due to the G20 conference in Toronto, things have been a little nutty so excuse the delay in posting my fearless predictions. Here we go!

Day 16

Uruguay - South Korea

Uruguay have impressed so far in their World Cup adventure and will be battling a determined South Korean side to advance to the quarter-finals. Both teams have been placed in a favorable quadrant of the bracket with the United States and Ghana. I expect Uruguay to attack using their 'Big Three' of Forlan, Suarez and Cavani while South Korea will probably flood the midfield and only attack using one true striker. The key to the match is more or less the pitch at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, which has been in awful shape and with rain showers in the forecast the pitch could become a quagmire. Regardless, the early goal will determine this match because I do not believe South Korea can chase the game if they concede the early goal.

Uruguay - South Korea (2-0)

United States - Ghana

The United States have never won two consecutive games at the World Cup and have only led at this World Cup for two minutes, so in my opinion the United States relishes the underdog role. Whatever you may think of the United States and their bravado, you must acknowledge that this team or any US team will never give up and never quit, something that many European teams can learn from. As for Ghana, they are missing their best player in Michael Essien, and are not even playing their second best player, Sulley Muntari. Ghana have also only scored their goals from the spotkick as a result of fouls in the box. Ghana can win this game if they attack and use their speed on the flanks and take advantage of the US's defensive deficiencies. However, at the end of the day the attitude of the Americans will be too much for Ghana and I expect a close match that could go to penalties.

United States - Ghana (2-1)

OVERALL RECORD

24-24