Last-16 Tipster Picks for WhoScored.com Games World Cup Survivor
Lionel Messi’s Argentina rebounded from their shock World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia to top Group C in Round 3, setting up a clash with Australia in the process.
Elsewhere, Tunisia handed France their first group stage defeat since 2010 while England booked a date with Senegal by hammering Wales.
That victory for the Three Lions meant Gareth Southgate became the first English boss to win 10 major tournament games… how many more can he add to that tally in the knockouts?
Our £10,000+ Knockout Survivor game starts at 2:45pm on Saturday, 3 December.
We’re giving you TWO lives to predict every result of the knockouts and there’s no limit on how many times you can pick each team! Will you back Brazil the whole way or maybe France will be your fancy?
Reach the quarter-finals and you’ll share £5,000+. The longest survivor then wins the remaining £5,000+ in time for Christmas.
We’ve tasked our tipster ‘The Teacher’ with giving his best picks for the action ahead. Let’s see if you agree!
The Teacher says…
My Pick
A look at the respective expected goals against (xGA) figures ahead of the Australia vs Argentina last-16 tie says much – Australia are at 5.6, with Argentina’s equivalent just 0.7.
The Argentines also have a considerable lead on the expected goals (xG) metric, their figure of 5.8 being second only to France at time of writing.
That France team ripped the Socceroos apart, winning 4-1, and something similar here would not surprise.
Potential Pick
USA probably didn’t get enough credit for their performance against England in the group stage and overall they’ve looked a very solid side.
They’ve conceded only once – from the penalty spot – and they lead the Dutch when it comes to non-penalty expected goals against (npxGA). They also have the slight edge on expected goals (xG), leading 2.5-2.3.
Netherlands failed to sparkle in one of the easier groups and look vulnerable here.
Risky Pick
Poland (vs France)
I wouldn’t normally consider an underdog ‘risky’ but I suspect some will be tempted to side with Poland after France’s rhythm was disrupted by wholesale changes and subsequent defeat to Tunisia. Don’t.
France will be well rested and, at time of writing, top the expected goals (xG) table.
Antoine Griezmann has gone under the radar – he has the best expected assisted goals (xAG) figure so far.
Ready to make your picks?
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Entries close at 2:45pm on Saturday, 3 December.
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