Jonty’s picks

France and Argentina meet today at the Kazan Arena in probably the most eagerly anticipated clash of the whole of the 2018 Fifa World Cup last-16.

France’s progress was relatively smooth, if not thrilling, with a technology-assisted win over Australia followed by a fairly comfortable win over Peru and an insipid draw with Denmark – the first goalless draw of the World Cup finals.

Didier Deschamps has yet to get the best out of arguably the most talented squad of players at the tournament and Les Bleus will probably need to play better against Argentina.

Argentina’s passage to the last-16 was rocky, to say the least, with just one point from their opening two matches meaning they had to beat Nigeria in their last Group D match to progress.

They duly delivered, with Lionel Messi finally grabbing a goal, and perhaps that victory could be the spark that sees them go far in the competition. I don’t think so, however, and am backing France to win this one. Pool Name - S6 V3 P1 M1: France v Argentina. Previewed above. TIP: France win = 1 M2: GAIS Goteborg v Norrby IF. Goteborg to edge this one. TIP: GAIS win = 1 M3: Jonkopings Sodra v Halmstad. An away day. TIP: Halmstad win = 3 M4: Degerfors IF v IK Frej Taby. Degerfors to take it. TIP: Degerfors win = 1 M5: Valerenga v Bodo Glimt. Spoils shared. TIP: Draw = 2 M6: Uruguay v Portugal. Portugal to go through, but only on penalties.

TIP: Draw = 2