Switzerland take on Spain while Japan face Norway in the first set of last-16 fixtures at the World Cup. These are two cracking ties to look forward to on Saturday. Here is all you need to know about them.
Where: Eden Park Auckland
When: 6am (BST)/ 5pm (NZST)
TV: BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Referee: TBC
Last meeting: Switzerland 0-2 Spain (Algarve Cup, 2019)
Switzerland’s group stage results: 0-2 win v Philippines, 0-0 draw v Norway, 0-0 draw v New Zealand
Spain’s group stage results: 3-0 win v Costa Rica, 5-0 win v Zambia, 4-0 loss v Japan
Switzerland have already equalled their best performance at the World Cup finals by making it to the knockout stage but their two goalless stalemates against Norway and New Zealand would suggest they do not have the firepower to venture much further in this tournament. Of course there is positivity in keeping three clean sheets but they will be facing a side with several goalscorers in their team in Spain.
Apart from their heavy defeat against Japan, Spain have given a good account of themselves at the World Cup so far. Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo have both found the back of the net twice during this campaign. Manager Jorge Vilda will hope that the two stars will keep their momentum going against the Swiss.
Betfred odds: Switzerland 8/1, Spain 3/10, Draw 7/2
Sportsman stat: Switzerland are yet to concede at this World Cup after conceding in each of their first four matches in the competition.
Where: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
When: 9am (BST)/ 8pm (NZST)
TV: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
Referee: TBC
Last meeting: Japan 4-1 Norway (Friendly, 2018)
Japan’s group stage results: 0-5 win v Zambia, 2-0 win v Costa Rica, 4-0 win v Spain
Norway’s group stage results: 1-0 loss v New Zealand, 0-0 draw v Switzerland, 6-0 win v Philippines
Japan look like a side worthy of becoming champions. The 2011 winners have been one of the most exciting teams to watch at the World Cup so far and are expected to go very far. They have been scoring for fun and are yet to concede a goal after three games. Hinata Miyazawa is the leading scorer with four goals and she will likely add to her haul against Norway. Norway have had a mixed bag of results at the World Cup from their three group matches and it doesn’t look like they have what it takes to take down this ferocious Japan side.
Betfred odds: Japan 8/11, Norway 23/20, Draw 7/2
Sportsman stat: Japan have already scored 11 goals this tournament and are already one goal away from their best scoring performance (12) when they claimed their first world title.
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