It is getting closer now. After starting just over two weeks ago with 32 teams we now find ourselves down to the final eight that will compete for the trophy.
Holland V Brazil:
In the first of the two quarter final games on Friday sees Holland face Brazil. Holland are looking like the real deal right now having added Slovakia's scalp to the three scalps they gained in group play. However they will not be looking forward to facing Brazil who tend to always do what they need to do in order to progress. Brazil have a bunch of players that are the complete opposite of the English squad. That is to say that when playing in the EPL for their clubs they tend to be lazy and really not up for it. However when they put on that yellow shirt of Brazil then they play with swagger and an arrogance that sometimes is nothing short of spectacular. The English team play great for their individual clubs but as soon as they have those three lions on their chest then they turn into a bunch of stooges. OK anger out now move on!
Prediction: Really could go either way but will go for Brazil 2-1
Uruguay V Ghana:
Both of these teams will be very happy with what, for both, is a very winnable game. Uruguay won their group ahead of Mexico and the disappointing French team. It is fair to say that the whole of Africa will be behind the Ghana team as they are the only representatives left. South African fans may also wanting a Ghana win as Uruguay were obviously in South Africa's group.
Ghana are the only team left in the competition that qualified second in their group. This makes Group D the only group to have both teams left in the competition, which means Group C is the only one without one.
Prediction: Uruguay 2-0
Argentina V Germany:
Oh what could have been if England didn't stink! Despite Germany scoring four against England I think it was more down to England's defensive inability more than Germany's creation and flowing move. Take any of the goals and you can point to a number of things that didn't happen with Terry and Co which comes under "Defense 101". Argentina were my pick before a ball was kicked and I see no reason to change now. Whatever you think of Maradonna or Argentina you have to applaud the way this team seems to be a real unit. The third goal against Mexico was their 10Th of the competition, winning all four of their games so far. Again I think Messi and Tevez will be testing Mertsacker and Co way more than the England front line did and I think at the back the Argies will be tighter also.
Prediction: Argentina 3-0! (OK maybe wishful thinking but allow me that one parting shot!)
Paraguay V Spain:
Paraguay have had a lot of luck over the course of this tournament and I expect that to run out against the Spanish. Paraguay qualified with 5 points and having only scored three goals and that continued against Japan, scoring no goals and winning on penalties. This means they have the lowest goal tally of all the teams still in the competition (closely followed by Ghana with 4).
Spain got off to a slow start but have progressed very well since that 1-0 defeat to Switzerland. They have won every game since and recently dispatched what could have been a potential banana skin tie against neighbours Portugal.
Prediction: Spain 2-0
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