Third Game Previews

With the final make up of the last 16 to be decided over the next four evenings, it is time for a look at how things are going, and what is to be expected.

Group A
Ecuador v Germany will work out who comes 1st and 2nd. TIP - Germany to win.
Group B
England v Sweeden decides pretty much the same issue (with a Trinidad and Tobago risk). - TIP England to win, Sweeden Second.
Group C
Argentina v Netherlands is the same situation as group A. TIP - Netherlands to Win
Group D
Portugal v Mexico matches Group B, TIP - Probably Portugal at this stage.
Group E
Italy (4) v Czech Republic (3)
Ghana (3) v USA (1)
Generally here, the winner of each match gets a place in the next round. Draws will make things complicated, along with the Goal Difference gap between Italy and the USA. If both games are drawn, Italy and the Czechs go through.
TIP - Probably Italy and Ghana, but who knows.
Group F
The matches we will all care about.
Brazil is through... and as long as Japan don't win big time, Japan are out.
Australia (3) v Croatia (1) means that we need at least a draw to progress, which we should be able to get.
TIP - Brazil and Australia
Group G
Switzerland (4) v Korea Rep (4)
France (2) v Togo (0)
If France win, only one of the two leading teams will progress (with Switzerland holding the advantage at this stage). If France don't win, both Switzerland and Korea Rep will progress.
TIP: Korea Rep to beat Switzerland; France to probably beat Togo.
Group H
Like Group F, Spain is Safe, and the Ukraine are in control of their destiny.
Spain v Saudi Arabia should not rock the boat.
Ukraine v Tunisia will be interesting. A draw for Ukraine is enough, and should be achievable.
TIP: Spain and Ukraine.

Notional Round of 16: (although it is quite possible that Netherlands will swap with Argentina)
Germany v Sweeden
Netherlands v Mexico
Italy v Australia
Korea Rep v Ukraine

England v Ecuador
Portugal v Argentina
Brazil v Ghana
Spain v France