World Cup Bracket 2022: Odds and Predictions for All Quarterfinal Matches
The quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup are expected to be far more competitive than the round of 16.
Five of the eight round-of-16 matches were won by multiple goals because of disparities in quality on the pitch. That's not to mention the rest some teams were able to provide key players thanks to sealing qualification after two group-stage games.
The quarterfinal games at the last two men’s World Cups were all decided by two goals or fewer, and none of the games featured a team that scored more than two goals.
Those numbers speak to the difficulty of winning from here on out because there is so much talent left among the teams that have progressed.
Morocco is the biggest underdog of the group, but it has shown that it can hang with the best teams in the world thanks to its counterattacking style.
The quarterfinal round kicks off with Brazil vs. Croatia on Friday, and it ends with potentially the best of the four matches in England vs. France.
Croatia vs. Brazil
90-Minute Money Line
Brazil (-275; bet $275 to win $100)
Croatia (+800; bet $100 to win $800)
Draw (+400)
To Advance to Next Round
Brazil (-550)
Croatia (+400)
Brazil reinforced its status as the World Cup favorite with a 4-1 thrashing of South Korea.
The Seleção attack came alive thanks to the return of Neymar, who brilliantly combined with Richarlison and Vinicius Junior in attack.
They will again be expected to create chances against Croatia, but the quarterfinal will not be as easy as the win over South Korea.
Croatia has not allowed more than one goal to any of its four opponents in Qatar, and it has battle-tested players who featured in its run to the final in Russia four years ago.
Luka Modrić and Co. won two penalty shootouts and beat England in extra time to reach the title match in 2018.
The midfield trio of Modrić, Mateo Kovačić and Marcelo Brozović can dictate the game and slow down Brazil’s attacking pace.
Brazil’s key will be winning the ball in midfield through Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta.
Paqueta could be the most important player on the field, as he can not only be a ball-winner in midfield but also an extension of the attack, as we saw with his goal against South Korea.
The biggest difference between the two sides is Brazil’s wealth of finishers. Croatia does not have a striker who puts fear in a defense like Mario Mandžukić did in 2018.
Brazil’s ability to strike fast through Neymar, Richarlison and Vinicius Junior could be the difference between the Seleção winning and being forced into extra time against the long-game experts from Croatia.
Prediction: Brazil 2, Croatia 0
Netherlands vs. Argentina
90-Minute Money Line
Netherlands (+255)
Argentina (+125)
Draw (+220)
To Advance to Next Round
Netherlands (+135)
Argentina (-160)
The Netherlands and Argentina both had comfortable wins in the round of 16.
The Oranje pounced on three defensive mistakes by the United States to win 3-1, while Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez powered Argentina to a 2-1 win against Australia.
Obviously, the biggest defensive concern for the Netherlands is handling Messi’s movements in the final third.
The Argentine superstar proved throughout the tournament that he only needs one moment over the course of 90 minutes to kill off a game.
Louis van Gaal’s team needs to close the pockets of space Messi can get into in the middle of the park. Virgil van Dijk and the other Dutch defenders must be strong in the air to deny any service from out wide.
Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo both come into the quarterfinal in terrific form for the Oranje. That, plus the potential for Van Dijk to put on a defensive masterclass, gives the Dutch hope.
Breaking down Argentina’s back line will be tough, though. Argentina shut out Poland and Mexico to close out group play, and its concession against Australia came from an own goal.
Argentina’s defensive discipline has the potential to be the difference-maker in Friday’s second match, or it could at least keep the Albiceleste alive into extra time.
Prediction: Argentina 1, Netherlands 0 (after extra time)
Morocco vs. Portugal
90-Minute Money Line
Portugal (-150)
Morocco (+475)
To Advance to Next Round
Morocco (+235)
Portugal (-300)
Portugal found out in its 6-1 round-of-16 victory over Switzerland that it is better to play without an aging Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup.
Gonçalo Ramos netted the tournament’s first hat trick, and Bruno Fernandes was once again the dominant figure going forward.
Ronaldo came on as a substitute far after the win over Switzerland was secured.
Portugal needs to use the same setup against Morocco, which has not conceded a goal to an opponent in Qatar—the Atlas Lions let in an own goal against Canada.
Morocco is comfortable with defending for 90, or 120, minutes and that is what makes it a scary opponent for any of the remaining sides in Qatar. In the round of 16, it held on for a 0-0 draw after extra time against Spain before goalkeeper Bono was the hero in a penalty shootout.
But Portugal has the talent to break through the Morocco back line and create multiple goals.
Joao Felix’s line-breaking ability with his passing and on-ball skills could help Portugal open up its opponent and allow Ramos, Fernandes and others to score.
Morocco has been the best story of the World Cup, but its run could end against a scary Portugal attack.
Prediction: Portugal 3, Morocco 0
England vs. France
90-Minute Money Line
England (+205)
France (+145)
Draw (+230)
To Advance to Next Round
England (+110)
France (-135)
England vs. France is the blockbuster clash of the quarterfinals.
France is the reigning World Cup champion. England has been to at least the semifinals of its last two major tournaments.
Each team has a world-class scorer in Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, respectively. Each attack has been fantastic over four games in Qatar.
There are few differences between the two European powers. This could be the game where France finally misses the injured N’Golo Kanté in the center of the field.
Jude Bellingham could take advantage of the space typically occupied by Kanté to set up the Three Lions attack with deep runs into the final third and his sharp passing ability.
Bellingham is arguably the best player under the age of 21 in the world, and he will be coveted on the transfer market after the World Cup.
It will take one or two moments of brilliance from someone in a deeper-lying position to get the opposing side out of its comfort zone.
Mbappé can do that by tracking back and springing down the wing to set up the likes of Olivier Giroud.
France’s key player could be Antoine Griezmann. He can bring balance to the attack and pick apart the England defense with one pass on any side of the field.
The matchup appears to be even on paper, so it may take penalty kicks to decide a winner. Expect France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to step up in that moment.
Prediction: England 1, France 1 (France wins on penalty kicks)
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