Russia 2018 – Goal projections, clean sheet and qualification probabilities for the 1st KO round

Football fans are in for a treat over the next 4 days as the sudden death stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup gets under way.

Germany’s early elimination means that there are only 6 previous winners left in the tournament, 4 of which feature in a ‘stacked’ top half of the draw.

England and Spain are the exceptions and both sides will surely fancy their chances of progressing to the semi-finals where they are scheduled to meet.

Belgium, who pipped England in Group G to set-up a last 16 tie with Japan, arguably have the pick of the ties and this theory is certainly supported by our latest goal projections which indicate that this is the easiest of the ‘Round of 16’ ties but things are likely to get much tougher for the Flat Country should they progress.

Argentina, who have certainly ridden their luck in the group stage, get proceedings under way when they take on France in the first of the knockout ties and they will certainly need to show a vast improvement if they are to prolong their stay in the competition.

There’s little to choose between Uruguay and Portugal, while hosts’ Russia will need to rekindle their early tournament form if they are to have any chance of upsetting Spain.

Croatia have been as impressive as any other side in Russia so far and a match-up against Denmark on Sunday is their deserved reward.

Brazil against Mexico should be a cracker and if it is half as good as the El Tri’s clash with Germany it should be well worth the watch.

Splitting Sweden and Switzerland is a tough call and this one promises to be a low-scoring cagey affair, while England wrap up the ‘Round of 16’ proceedings when they face Colombia on Tuesday evening.