World Cup 2018 quarter-finals: match dates, teams and predictions for the semi-finals

Teams that have reached the last 16

1. Uruguay (2-1 winners against Portugal)
2. France (4-3 winners against Argentina)
3. Russia (winners on penalties against Spain after a 1-1 draw)
4. Croatia (winners on penalties against Denmark after a 1-1 draw)
5. Belgium (3-2 winners against Japan)
6. Sweden (1-0 winners against Switzerland)
7. Brazil (2-0 winners against Mexico)
8. England (winners on penalties against Colombia after a 1-1 draw)

   Match dates and predictions

Uruguay vs France - Friday 6 July - 3pm kick-off

Uruguay may struggle to keep Kylian Mbappe quiet

The big question for Uruguay is whether they can prevent defence and midfield being isolated with Kylian Mbappe - when his pace becomes decisive. They will believe they can score, but can they stop France as effectively as they have others?

Prediction: France 3-1 Uruguay

Brazil vs Belgium - Friday 6 July - 7pm kick-off

Neymar has sparked into life in recent games for Brazil

Both sides have looked competent against inferior opposition in the round of 16, but neither have looked the sum of their parts. Belgium should be much harder for Brazil to break down and they should also test them at the back much more than before.

Prediction:Belgium 3-1 Brazil after extra-time

Sweden vs England - Saturday 7 July - 3pm kick-off

Jesse Lingard will be England's key man against Sweden

The Swedes had 36 per cent possession against Switzerland. They were solid, well-organised, dangerous from set-pieces and took their chance. England need to open them up early and they will have to match them physically. Key man will be Jesse Lingard. Although it is Harry Kane who gets the goals, it is Lingard’s movement that opens up difficult opponents by exploiting the space.

Prediction: England 2-0 Sweden 

Russia vs Croatia - Saturday 7 July - 7pm kick-off

Luka Modric celebrates Croatia's penalty shoot-out win over Denmark

Hard to see Russia abandoning the approach that did for Spain. They will concede possession, sit deep and hope Croatia become exhausted trying to break them down. But Spain did not have a playmaker at the peak of his powers like Luka Modric, who has a case for being the best player at the tournament, even taking into account the missed penalty. Always finds a way..

Prediction: Croatia 2-1 Russia