Croatia, Brazil, Uruguay and England will be the semi-finalists if our predictions come true

World Cup quarter-finals: Fixtures, times, TV guide, match odds & best bets for Russia

Football

Wed July 04, 2018 · 7y ago

Check out the completed World Cup quarter-final fixture list with our verdict and best bets for each game.

We're at the sharp end of the World Cup now with just eight teams fighting it out for a place in footballing history, as the tension and excitement really ramps up in Russia.

Brazil remain the outright favourites for the World Cup but there are plenty of good teams, and some surprise packages, still left in the competition.

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Here we run down the quarter-final ties and offer up a verdict for each game, along with their Sky Bet odds to get through the tie.

Friday, July 6

Uruguay (7/4) v France (4/9) (1500 BST, Nizhny Novgorod Kazan, ITV)

Kylian Mbappe celebrates one of his goals against Argentina

Uruguay: Much will depend on Edinson Cavani's fitness as his partnership with Luis Suarez up front was starting to look really sharp as they powered past Portugal. Even with him, Uruguay's strength and principal focus remains on defence - but they'll face a major test in the form of the flying Kylian Mbappe.

France: Just some signs of the real France standing up against Argentina, mainly through Mbappe, and the aim must be to get him the ball early and often. They had some shaky moments at the back but were unlucky to concede three goals - this is their biggest challenge to date.

Verdict: Uruguay to qualify at 7/4

Brazil (4/7) v Belgium (11/8) (1900 BST, Kazan, BBC)

Firmino and Gabriel Jesus celebrate Brazil's second goal against Mexico

Brazil: The Samba Boys started to hit their stride against Mexico after weathering an early storm and showed why they remain the team to beat in Russia. Willian showed up against Mexico so with him, Coutinho and Neymar they've got plenty going forward, but they've been equally as effective at the back. Tite has his side defending for their lives and despite all Mexico's pressure they only allowed one shot on target - that's now just five they've yielded in the entire tournament.

Belgium: They've got some serious work to do after getting out of jail big time against Japan. Roberto Martinez got the credit for his substitutions but how his star-studded starters found themselves 2-0 down and struggling will be a huge concern. Certainly they've got the talent but they need to get Kevin De Bruyne, in particular, on the ball in more dangerous areas. De Bruyne may well have Manchester City team-mate Fernandinho on his case, with fellow centre midfield man Casemiro suspended for Brazil.

Verdict: Brazil to win in 90 minutes at 11/10

Saturday, July 7

Sweden 2/1 v England 2/5 (1500 BST, Samara, BBC)

England players celebrate their penalty shootout win over Colombia

Sweden: You know exactly what you get from the ever-reliable Swedes, they'll sit in their 4-4-2 and they'll compete for every ball, they'll limit the space between defence and midfield and crowd the central areas forcing teams to cross into the box, where they have a pair of dominant centre halves. They'll then try and hit on the break and with set pieces. Predictable and frustrating it may be, but breaking them down is no easy task.

England: We should really be talking about a very un-England-like 1-0 win with little drama in it as the Three Lions controlled Colombia for 90 minutes before coming unstuck out of nowhere in injury time. England were particularly impressive handling the Colombian antics, and although Sweden aren't on that level of gamesmanship they'll still be a tough nut to crack. Again, it'll be fine margins and a lot will depend on injuries and tiredness given the expected heat in Samara, but if England can keep patient they should have enough to keep their run going.

Verdict: England to win in 90 minutes at 17/20

Russia (11/8) v Croatia (4/7) (1900 BST, Sochi, ITV)

Russia defeated Spain on a penalty shoot-out

Russia: Fair play to Russia for defending like heroes against Spain before dumping them out on penalties. Many said it was not pretty but tell that to Russian fans who now have a home quarter-final to look forward to. They'll be second best again against the technical Croatian side but will take great belief from the last round that they can repeat the trick.

Croatia: Croatia struggled to see off a dogged, determined Denmark side and they'll face more of the same in Sochi. They'll need to handle the home crowd and their nerves better than they did in the last 16, but they've got more than enough in terms of talent to get through this test. They'll need to tighten up defending set plays though.

Verdict: Croatia to win in 90 minutes at 5/4