World Cup Quarter-Final Predictions

FRANCE v URUGUAY

NICK HARRISON: Godin has been awesome for Uruguay and could still lift the trophy next weekend for the South American surprise-packages. He should keep his Atletico Madrid team-mate Griezmann in check but Mbappe may pose more problems. At the other end, Suarez and Cavani will fancy their chances while for the RequestABet backers, go for Giroud to go down injured more than six times in the match. The bigger they are, the harder they fall! 1-2

TOM NORRIS: One that really could go either way. Uruguay are resolute at the back with a touch of class up top, although Cavani's expected absence would be a huge blow. France, on paper, appear to have it all. Get their pacey attackers running at the Uruguay defence and victory is theirs. 2-1 (after extra time).

RICHARD WILLIAMS: I backed Mbappe to be one of the players to watch in the tournament and he was fantastic in the thrilling 4-3 win against Argentina in the last 16. Uruguay also boast a lot of attacking quality and this does promise to be an exciting match. I'm backing France to nick it and seal the semi-final berth many expected. 2-1

CHARLIE CROASDALE: Readers of my antepost World Cup piece find themselves in a nice 33-1 position about Uruguay and the run may not be over just yet. This will be their trickiest obstacle yet, but the French will not find space as easy to come by than they did when pulverising Argentina, while the South Americans (along with Brazil) are the best defensive side in this tournament. 1-1 (Uruguay to win on penalties).

DAN HEALD: Two sides whose talents have taken time to come to the fore in this tournament. Mbappe was unplayable in France's 4-3 last 16 victory against Argentina and will need to be at his best to break a defence martialled by the imperious Godin. Doubts over Cavani's fitness give the French a slight edge. 2-1.

BELGIUM v BRAZIL

NH: Brazil and Neymar are getting better game by game but Belgium will be buzzing after that smash and grab takeaway from the plucky Japanese on Monday night. De Bruyne has to play further up the pitch and I'd start with super-subs Fellaini and Chadli too. Think this might be one game too far for Martinez's men. 2-3

TN: What a game on Friday night. Two of the teams that love to attack slugging it out for a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup. Belgium's 'golden generation' nearly mucked up against Japan and Brazil won't let Roberto Martinez's men back into the game quite so readily. De Bruyne needs a bigger role because Casemiro will be all over Hazard. 1-2

RW: Belgium dug deep to recover from a two-goal deficit to beat Japan 3-2 and secure a place in the quarter-finals. But despite all the talent at Roberto Martinez's disposal, that's where I expect their run to end. While some of the other 'big' nations have packed their bags, Brazil have looked the part and Neymar can again inspire them to a place in the last four. 1-2.

CC: Brazil have a superb defence, they dominate games in midfield and have proven firepower up top, and will be very difficult to stop here en route to the final. Japan exposed Belgium's weaknesses in the wing-back positions, and if Martinez sticks to his three at the back, the likes of Willian, Neymar and Jesus could have a field day. 3-0

DH: Two substitutions saved Roberto Martinez his job against Japan and he'll now need to be more tactically astute. De Bruyne and Hazard have both been peripheral figures thus far and will need to show their class here. Neymar polarises opinion among fans and pundits alike, but he is a big game player and I'll back him to pop up with an extra-time winner 1-2 (AET)

ENGLAND v SWEDEN

NH: Be brave is the motto manager Southgate must adopt. Don't go into defensive mode after scoring because you're better than that. He should give Sterling one more chance but Dele Alli looks unfit and totally out of form so go on Gareth, start with Loftus-Cheek. 2-1

TN: England deserved to beat Columbia, but they still needed penalties to do it. I hope Southgate's young side learn from their mistakes and kill off games when they are on top. In Harry Kane, England have a nerveless predator and if the trio of Lingard, Sterling and Alli (fitness permitting) improve, a semi-final spot is ours. 2-0

RW: Southgate's substitutions and Columbia's tactics stifled England in their last 16 tie but the players kept their nerve when it mattered in the shoot-out. England can and have played better than that in Russia. Sweden are no mugs but with captain Kane having a superb tournament, he can lead England into the semi-finals. 2-1

CC: Sweden have reached this stage through pure organisation rather than any creative imagination and if I'd be shocked if we don't knock them out. The pace of Lingard, Sterling and Rashford could cause some serious damage. Football's coming home! 2-0

DH: After the attritional scrap against Columbia, expect a far less combative game here. Sweden's success in qualification was built on their functional but uninspiring 4-4-2 shape as well their strong collective team ethic. Their lack of pace is obvious though and I'd expect that to be exposed by England's youthful and willing runners. 3-1

CROATIA v RUSSIA

NH: You've got to give the hosts credit for getting this far but this may be the end of Putin's dream. The main reason for that is Croatia will not play as badly as they did in their penalty-shoot-out win over Denmark. Modric will again be the main man for the Croats in what will be a cagey affair. 1-0

TN: A lot has been made of Croatia this tournament, but they were below-par against Denmark, who hardly reinvented the wheel with their half time tactical adjustment. Even victory over Argentina was kick-started by a huge goalkeeping error. Russia were criticised for their tactics against Spain, but the result is all that matters and they won't be changing their ways in this one. 1-0

RW: Russia are my team in the work sweep so I will be rooting for them but I fear this is where the host nation's brave efforts come to an end. Beating Spain secured an unlikely last eight spot and while Croatia weren't as effective as they have been in beating Denmark on penalties, Modric has been class in midfield and he can be the difference again. 2-0

CC: Croatia were appalling against Denmark and can count themselves incredibly lucky to still be alive in this tournament. You'd think they'll improve somewhat, but they were so badly disjointed I think the hosts will take them to penalties, but the dream may end there. 1-1 (Croatia on penalties)

DH: Russia dumping Spain out was a sight to behold and a stern warning that they are not to be underestimated. Croatia were off-colour against Denmark, a game were neither side were really winning to commit numbers in attack. I'd expect Modric, Rakitic and Perisic to hit their stride again here in a hard-fought victory. 2-1