2022 Men's World Cup: Expert Predictions for the Round of 16

The fun really starts now.

It's win or go home for the 16 teams left in the World Cup as the knockout stages begin with the United States taking on the Dutch on Saturday.

The French are trying to become repeat World Champs. Is there any more magic left in the boots of Portugal's star player to get them through to the next round?

Every game in the round of 16 was predicted by the B/R World football staff.

Do you disagree with our experts? The comments section of the B/R app is where you can post your thoughts.

Nick Akerman is from the United States.

The USA has a decent chance of shocking the world, but with a few conditions. The space left by the Dutch wide men can be taken advantage of by Christian Pulisic.

Keeping up the combative form is one of the things the USMNT needs to do. I'll go for the USA.

The man is from the USA.

In the final match of the group stage, the Americans defeated Iran. They will look to make history against a very strong opponent.

They match up well against the Dutch side. I believe that familiarity will give the USA the edge in a coming-of-age victory.

Meg Swanick is from the United States.

The United States are taking on a team that has never won a World Cup in the tournament. The Netherlands haven't looked great in the group stage, but Louis van Gaal would love for that to change.

The Dutch man of the moment, 23-year-oldCody Gakpo, has scored in all three group-stage matches, but Berhalter's defense has been tight. They are sent home by Berhalter's squad.

Alex Windley is from the United States.

They made it out of their group after delivering for their fans. They don't have a lot to lose against the Netherlands.

The U.S. has the heart and team spirit to pull off an upset even though they are the favorites.

The man is from Argentina.

The highest score of the round will be seen in this one. Argentina got off to a rough start in the tournament, but have since turned it around. Smart tactical changes have given Lionel Messi more room to operate, halted their susceptibility to being counter- attacked down the wings and generally improved the team's passing flow.

Australia received a bashing against France in the first game of the tournament. This will be similar.

Evans hails from Argentina.

Every expert here picks Argentina to win. It's almost disappointing if Messi doesn't win this match on his own. It would be one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history if Australia pulled off the upset.

Swanick spoke about Argentina.

The Socceroos have punched above their weight getting out of the group after they qualified for the World Cup. Argentina shocked the world at the World Cup by losing to Saudi Arabia and then by stuttering for a half against Mexico before winning two games.

The Socceroos will likely be sent home by the Argentines now that they've hit their stride.

There is a Windley in Argentina.

Argentina looked like their normal self against Poland. La Albiceleste have enough talent and experience to make a deep run and Messi is on a mission to cement his legacy.

I think they will dispatch Australia with no problem. Sorry to Australians!

The man is from England.

I believe England will win the game. No matter who he picks from Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford, or anyone else, the list goes on. Even though England line up in different ways, you would expect them to score.

The Three Lions are a stodgy unit that always looks like it could make a mistake.

Evans spoke about England.

The Three Lions didn't have a problem with Group B even though they had a rocky performance against the US. The side is full of confidence, despite the fact that they only allowed two goals.

I like what the Senegalese bring to the table in this match, but they just don't have enough.

Swanick talked about England.

The team without their leader, Sadio Mané, looked good in the group stage. The African champion might be able to beat the million dollar lineup.

England will have possession, but they need to keep an eye on the other side of the counter. I think we will see the squad of Southgate in the quarterfinals.

Windley was in Africa.

The Lions of Teranga made it out of the group stage despite the fact that many thought that the country would fall.

They finished second in the group with two wins and two losses. They will need to win back-to-back games to pull off the upset against England.

The man is from France.

Kylian Mbappe and France have too much for Poland. France have looked the best team in the tournament when they are at full strength, and their loss to Tunisia won't stop their good fortune.

Even after Robert Lewandowski broke his World Cup duck, Poland is still lacking in enthusiasm.

Evans hails from France.

Robert Lewandowski, Poland's main man and most important player, was mostly disinterested against Argentina. His main highlight from the match was the weird exchange with Messi. He needs to be more of a factor against the French squad or Poland will not have a chance.

Kylian Mbappé, the world's best player at the moment, is ready for another run through the tournament, and this Polish defense isn't slowing him down.

Swanick traveled to France.

This has been a tournament of upsets and low ranked teams. That doesn't apply to the French. The French have looked good despite the absence of some players.

Poland were happy to make the knockouts but they will be out of their depth with the French.

France is named Windley.

There are more things to say about France. They have one of the best young talents in the world in Mbappé and are determined to repeat as world champion. Even with all their injuries, France looked scary in the group stage despite being underestimated.

They have the talent to make it to the quarterfinals.

Aerman is from Croatia.

This one is intriguing to me. Japan is a perfect place to take down favorites as evidenced by their victories over Germany and Spain.

Croatia are very good at taking the strengths of their opponents and making them null and void in order to get a positive result. Luka Modri does something special to win it.

Evans spoke about Japan.

Japan and Croatia are two of the more balanced ties. The World Cup finalist from last year have started the tournament a little slower. The win over Canada was one of the worst in the country.

Japan will be riding the high of beating Spain to top Group E and then upsetting The Checkered Ones in the next game.

Swanick talked about Japan.

Spain and Germany were defeated by Japan in order to escape their group of death. I don't know if they can still be called a dark horse, but I think they can beat Croatia.

Croatia's squad of aging stars looked more than capable through the group stage, but my money is on Japan to win this match.

There is a Windley in Japan.

I'll keep riding the hot hand of Japan. The Manga Blue Lock come to life when the Samurai Blue beat Germany and Spain.

Japan have the ability to go deep into the tournament with the help of talents such as Kaoru Mitoma off the bench and the experience of Maya Yoshida.

The man is from Brazil.

Brazil should cruise by a plucky South Korea side without a lot of issues. After resting most of his stars, Tite will be confident of sweeping the challenge of Heung-min Son aside.

Brazil hasn't hit the heights of their opening win over Serbia, but they still have everything they need to win this competition. South Korea will not let that happen.

Evans spoke about Brazil.

It's a great way for South Korea to move forward. The last day of Group H has Heung-min Son and his side through to the next round. They're going to get their reward? There is a round of 16 match with Brazil.

Despite the feel-good story that South Korea brings into the match, the South Americans do not lack in attacking options beyond him and should be able to move on.

Swanick spoke about Brazil.

South Korea has shown at the World Cup that the game is growing far beyond its borders.

South Korea defeated Portugal with a goal from Hee-Chan Hwang. I think they will do well against one of the most formidable teams in the tournament.

Windley spoke about Brazil.

Brazil is the favorite to win the tournament, according to my opinion. They have a lot of options to replace him. Brazil would be disappointed to leave early.

I think he will be able to make it in time for the game with South Korea. Brazil's chances to win increase if he does.

The man is from Spain.

The two teams are going to play a great game. I can't imagine Morocco playing it safe. I think that they are vulnerable because of everything that has been said about them so far.

It should be fun for Spain to get it done.

Evans hails from Spain.

Spain are the best team at this tournament. A powerful possession player. They had 78 percent of the possession against Japan.

It could have more than one. The game will be slower initially with the Spanish doing their thing only to allow Morocco back in before closing the door with a multi- goal victory.

Swanick traveled to Spain.

The friendly, vibrant fans of Morocco have made waves in the stands here in Qatar. The quality of their players has shown up in the form of two wins and a draw.

Japan beat Spain in the first place game, and the sky remained blue as Spain beat Morocco in the second place game. Both teams get on the board and the Spaniards escape just barely.

The Windley is in Spain.

Spain will pass their opponents to death in order to have fun. La Roja advanced despite not ending the group stage the way they wanted.

Spain's squad has a good mix of youth and experience despite the loss to Japan. The game against Morocco will be difficult, but Luis Enrique will make adjustments that will allow them to win.

The man is from Portugal.

Portugal looked better than I anticipated. Bruno Fernandes, arguably the Player of the Tournament so far, is one of the players in the full-strength XI. They look dangerous even with an under-performing player such as CR7

Switzerland are the kind of side that would ruin them in the past. There are genuine match-winners in Breel Embolo and Xherdan Shaqiri. I would pick the Swiss. I think Portugal will win the game.

Evans hails from Portugal.

The star of the show looked average in his side's loss to South Korea. You would expect him to deposit, but he did not. He has not been the CR7 we're all used to, so maybe he is showing his age at 37.

The rest of the Portuguese squad will have their work cut out for them when they face Switzerland in the next round. The quality and depth of Portugal will allow them to beat the Swiss in the World Cup.

Swanick traveled to Switzerland.

He hasn't had to impress so far at the World Cup. Portugal has enough talent to make it into the knockouts.

They are going to have a close meeting with Switzerland. Xherdan Shaqiri is electric for the Swiss at the World Cup. I think Switzerland will sneak by to the quarters.

Windley went to Portugal.

Portugal will do everything in their power to make sure that they win the world cup so that they can say that they won't be beaten again.

The Portuguese managed to top the group in the group stage. The squad has a lot of talent, so they don't have to rely on him to carry the load. Portugal will have the experience to navigate when it gets difficult. They will move past Switzerland and into the next round.