Sibongiseni’s picks

The World Cup has reached the stage where all the favourites come up against each other, and it gets even more difficult to pick winners. The quarterfinals start today with France taking on Uruguay at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium at 4pm and Belgium meeting Brazil later in the evening at the Kazan Arena.

It is fair to say these teams are evenly matched and should provide some heart-stopping moments. But there can only be one winner.

France have been quietly going about their business but have what could easily be their biggest challenge yet when they meet a resilient Uruguay.

Some have, however, noted that Uruguay have one approach and if Didier Deschamps studies them well he could put a stop to Oscar Tabarez’s run.

I feel Les Bleus have what it takes to advance to the semifinals and even further. I therefore give it to France.

Pool Name: S6 V1 P1 M1:

Uruguay v France. Previewed above France win = 3 Brazil v Belgium. Very tricky, but I give it to the Belgians. Belgium win = 3 Galway United v Athlone Town. Athlone are desperate for points. Galway win = 1 UC Dublin v Shelbourne. Top of the table clash. Draw = 2 Tokyo Verdy v Fagiano Okahama. Close contest. Draw = 2 Yokohama FC v Montedio Yamagata. Yokohama to take this one

Yokohama win = 1

Tip: M2: Tip: M3: Tip: M4: Tip: M5: Tip: M6: Tip: