Down to the Elite eight, who will make the Final four?

Football’s World Cup is now split into two distinctly different sides of the draw.

On one side the four best teams left in the comp, all of them good enough to go on from here and win it all.

On the other, four sides that those four will still be looking at in envy & wondering how they all ended up on what’s by far the draw’s much easier side.

Starting with Saturday’s quarter finals, first up 2am it’s Uruguay versus France.

Despite impressing against Argentina last time out France look vulnerable at the back for mine.

Yes they can score but can they stop Suarez & Cavani from doing likewise. Add to that an Uruguayan defence which against Portugal conceded just their first goal this whole calendar year, the South Americans expert gamesmanship should be enough to edge the brave but ultimately inexperienced, French outfit.

Brazil versus Belgium’s the one game where I’m letting my heart rule my head, hoping, praying to exhort every karmic force in the sporting stratosphere will smile upon the beer brewers and leave Brazil in the same shattered crumpled heap their shameless striker, Neymar, ends up any time an opposition player breathes in his direction.

Brazil are the favourites, they always are, but if there’s to be an upset, please let this be it.

Sunday at 2 am sees England face Sweden in what has penalty shoot-out written all over it.

The Swedes look the better side to me but that’s not saying a lot because, despite the ever-increasing optimism across Old Blighty, England remain at best only average.

Their defence shaky, midfield pedestrian and with Harry Kane the only realistic goal threat, Sweden, unless they self-implode should be good enough.

Which is exactly why I’m predicting a nervy cagey defensive match, 0-0 after extra-time with England to do the unthinkable and romp through again on penalties.

Finally, it’s the hosts Russia against perhaps the form team from the Group stage, Croatia.

And that’s their problem. The team that barely scraped past Denmark looked a shadow of the side that so convincingly despatched Nigeria, Argentina & Iceland. While Russia, equally dreadful v Spain, will again pack their defence, play physical and hope to outlast another opponent, both vastly superior and much more skilled.

Croatia to edge it. Just.