World Cup last-16 predictions: Spain and Switzerland to win on penalties… | Soccer Information

The World Cup spherical of 16 is in full swing and our tipster Jones Is aware of takes to the prediction chair to dig out some juicy betting angles.

Morocco vs Spain, Tuesday 3pm

Gary Neville copped a good bit of noise for questioning Spain’s potential to attain objectives simply earlier than they smashed seven previous Costa Rica. It is an ideal instance of how one freak sport should not overshadow longer-term proof. Of their different two video games towards Germany and Japan, they created a mean anticipated objectives tally of 0.83 per 90 which is extra in keeping with Neville’s evaluation of them when assessing their assault in the previous couple of years.

That is not a determine that screams a group fully at one with their attacking course of. Morocco, with a hefty variety of followers in attendance, have the construction in defence to stifle Spain in a low-scoring encounter.

When foreseeing a low-goal whole in match soccer, the draw and the sport to go the gap is a large runner as the proper scores of 0-0 or 1-1 take up a giant chunk of what the doable consequence will probably be if the objectives are to be sparse.

Taking a look at all last-16 World Cup clashes for the reason that 1998 match, 9 of the 48 matches have gone all the best way to penalties – understanding round an 18 per cent strike fee. You will get 11/2 with Sky Guess to your cash for this encounter to go to spot-kicks which means a 15 per cent likelihood of that state of affairs occurring. I might have it nearer to 25 per cent, in order that makes the 11/2 a wager.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1 (Spain to win on penalties)

Portugal vs Switzerland, Tuesday 7pm

I feel the markets have priced this one all incorrect. Portugal are 2/5 with Sky Guess to qualify and Switzerland are 7/4.

These figures massively undervalue the Swiss and their nous at taking part in in these sort of knockout conditions – they’re a devilishly exhausting group to knock out as seen when taking each France and Spain to penalties within the final European Championships. Hold it easy and again them to qualify towards a Portugal facet that look overrated on what we have seen thus far.

Together with staying in matches when beneath the cosh, what good match sides do is carry a giant menace from set-pieces.

As talked about, last-16 World Cup matches since 1998 common a aim from a set-piece each 0.6 video games which is a big quantity and reveals simply how essential these margins will be in knockout soccer.

Manchester Metropolis defender Manuel Akanji has had three photographs at this World Cup, producing an anticipated objectives tally of 0.4 as he someway did not open the scoring from eight yards out within the win over Cameroon. He’s a menace from set-piece conditions and the 11/10 with Sky Guess for him to have a number of photographs appears a implausible place to begin for a punt on this match. These with a better need to dream must also be pointed within the course of the 66/1 for him to score first and the 40/1 to attain a header.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1 (Switzerland to win on penalties)