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High Fives From Magic Mike

Welcome to "High Fives" the personal column of our ace Director of Football "Magic Mike".

Magic Mike's football credentials are first class. Last season he handily beat the Beeb’s expert tipster “Lawro” who never got a look in after Magic took an early lead at the start of the 2008/09 season.

A good number of our players were rescued by Magic’s tips in our Five Lives scheme which automatically gives you his tips, up to five times during the season, should you forget to enter them yourself. Magic Mike's canny inside knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of players and teams, combined with a passion for getting it right, is what you need to make an impact in this game. It also means you're going to have to be at your best to outdo him.

The Management - Score Five

And now, once again, over to Magic Mike...

See what Mike had to say in the olden days - visit his 2008/09 season archives.

previous predictions -

World Cup Stage 3.... FA Cup Final 2009/10.... Round 38.... Round 37.... Round 36.... Round 35

Uruguay vs. South Korea at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. South Korea drew with Nigeria to secure second place in Group B and face a South American challenge. All five South American nations at the World Cup have made it through to the last 16 and the Uruguayans have gone from strength to strength after qualifying for the World Cup through the play-off process. They combine a solid defence with the ability to hit teams on the break and in Diego Forlan, they have a player at the top of his game. He will be partnering Luis Suarez in attack. Suarez is also a player to watch after netting 49 times for Ajax last season
If Uruguay score the first goal it will be hard for the South Koreans to find a way back; an early strike from South Korea,  will be a more open attacking game. Uruguay are undefeated in five meetings between the two nations.
 
Magic predicts: South Korea 0 - Uruguay 1
 
 
USA vs. Ghana at Royal Bafokeng Stadium,Rustenburg. The USA left it late to qualify for the last 16 as winners of Group C.  Inspirational skipper Landon Donovan's injury time strike broke Slovenian hearts after it looked as if they would qualify behind England. Donavon’s goal meant USA moved from third place to top Group C. As group winners, USA now look to have an easier draw to the semi-finals with a semi-final berth guaranteed to either of USA, Ghana, South Korea or Uruguay.

Their opponents in the round of 16, Ghana, qualified as runners-up in group D despite narrowly losing out to Germany in their last match. This result also gained Ghana the more favourable draw. Ghana are Africa's last standing representatives at this World Cup in what has been a disappointing showing from the African nations in the first World Cup finals to be held on the African continent. Ghana, however, have a great chance of emulating the best performance at a World Cup by an African nation. This record is held by Cameroon when they reached the World Cup quarter-finals at Italia 90. Ghana will also be eyeing the possibility to go one better and become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
Ghana have yet to score in open play with both their goals coming from penalties scored by Asamoah Gyan.
 

Magic predicts: USA 0 - Ghana 2

 

 

England vs. Germany at The Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. One of the oldest rivalries in world football and perhaps the pick of the matches in this round. The last time the teams met at the finals event was the 1990 semi-final stage when the Germans won on penalties and went on to lift the trophy for the third time. In 1970, in Mexico, the Germans prevailed at the quarter-final stage for a 3-2 extra time victory, whilst England enjoyed the finest moment in their history against West Germany, lifting the Jules Rimet trophy on home soil in 1966.
 England were poor in their opening two games in this tournament but showed marked improvement in beating Slovenia whilst the Germans were outstanding in their opening game but then looked far less convincing in their final two group matches. A thrilling encounter can be expected.
 
Magic predicts: Germany 2 - England 1
 

 
Argentina vs. Mexico at Soccer City Stadium, Johnnesburg. Argentina are one of two nations to take maximum points out of their group games. In those matches against Nigeria, South Korea and Greece, Argentina have demonstrated their attacking qualities but haven't been as convincing in defence. They will face a sterner test against the Mexicans.
 
Mexico earned their place in the last 16 despite narrowly losing to Uruguay in their final group game. Mexico had all but qualified at that stage and will now face their toughest game so far against one of the tournament favourites. Mexico have showed some attacking flair in their matches and this promises to be one of the most exciting games of the competition to date.
 

Magic predicts Argentina 2 - Mexico 2
 

Netherlands vs. Slovakia at Durban Stadium, Durban. The Netherlands cruised into the last 16 with three victories to head their group. Bert Van Marwijk's side continues the Dutch brand of attacking football. Arjen Robben has played only a cameo role for the Dutch so far as he is being eased back to fitness after being injured in the warm-up matches but could make a full appearance against the Slovaks. The Dutch also had a perfect record in qualifying for the World Cup finals and will be favourites for a quarter-final place.
 
Slovakia first appearance at a World Cup finals will be deemed a success even if they fail to make the quarter-finals. Vladimir Weiss's side effectively knocked out the World Champions, Italy in their last game and the Dutch will take the game lightly at their peril.  Slovakia have proved very efficient at hitting teams swiftly on the break and this could  prove to be the toughest game so far for the Dutch.
 
Magic predicts: Netherlands 2 - Slovakia 1

 

 

The first meeting of South American nations at this World Cup pits Brazil against Chile at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. These nations finshed first and second respectively in the South American qualifying zone and whilst Brazil will start out as favourites, Chile have impressed in the World Cup Finals so far , narrowly missing out on topping Group H to European Champions, Spain. They were reduced to 10 men against Spain, shortly after Spain took a  2-0 lead, following a second yellow card for Marco Estrada. Chile did pull a goal back with just 10 men on the pitch and have shown attacking flair in this tournament that suggests they can trouble five time winners Brazil.

 

Brazil have cruised into the knock-out phase of the competition with two wins and a draw but they will face a Chile side undaunted by Brazil’s history in the competition and their Argentine coach, Marcelo Bielsa , will not change the playing style of attacking football. It promises to be a close game.

 

 

Magic predicts: Brazil 1 - Chile 1

 

 

Paraguay vs. Japan at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria.  Paraguay topped Group F, a group that was expected to be won by World Champions Italy. The South American nation have a great chance of enjoying their most successful World Cup campaign. They will succeed if they can beat Japan.

Japan have also battled hard and confirmed their place in the last 16 with their best performance of the tournament so far, a 3-1 win against Denmark. The Japanese held the ball well in that game and it promises to be an evenly contested game in Pretoria for the right to meet Spain or Portugal in the quarter-finals. Should Japan beat Paraguay it will also be their best performance at a World Cup Finals to date.

 

 

Magic predicts: Paraguay 1 - Japan 0

 

 

The final game in the round of 16 sees a battle of Iberia when Spain take on Portugal at the Green Point Stadium, Cape Town. Spain qualified for the World Cup with a 100% record but suffered a shock opening defeat to the Swiss before recovering with two victories to top Group H. Vicente Del Bosque’s side start with a clean slate as the tournament moves to the knock-out stages and they still remain one of the favourites lift the trophy.

 

Portugal came out of the tough Group G,  undefeated and second to Brazil. They have shown flashes of brilliance in the tournament and in Cristiano Ronaldo have a player who can change the course of a game. Portugal have lacked consistency but on their day can beat anyone. It will be a fascinating clash in Cape Town.

 

 

Magic predicts: Spain 2 - Portugal 1