The 2006 World Cup Finals now gets serious as we enter the knockout phase.

While we all hope for open, attacking football more often than not (for the players) it's about not losing; so expect some penalty shoot-outs.

The Second Round

Football fans now get two games a day from Saturday, 24th June to Tuesday, 27th June.

Saturday, 24th June:

Germany vs Sweden
München -- (17.00)

Germany have home advantage so would expect to win.

The last time Sweden beat Germany was in the Semi-finals of Sweden 1958 (3:1), before losing to Brazil in the Final. The two teams have registered a handful of draws but mostly, Germany tend to win.

The two teams also met the last time West Germany hosted the World Cup Finals, in 1974. West Germany won the Second Round group match (4:2), in Dusseldorf.

Germany also won the quarter-finals match in Italy 1934 (2:1).

Germany to win.

Argentina vs Mexico
Leipzig -- (21.00)

A nice Latin encounter here but expect Argentina to have too much class.

Out of fourteen previous encounters Argentina and Mexico have drawn seven, the last one being the Confederations Cup (1:1 aet) in Hannover, on 25th June 2005. Argentina won the penalty shootout (6:5).

Most of the games were friendlies although they have met in the Copa America before, Mexico winning the 2004 encounter (1:0), in Chiclayo, Peru.

The only time the two teams have met in World Cup history was back in Uruguay 1930; which Argentina won (6:3).

Argentina to win.

Sunday, 25th June

England vs Ecuador
Stuttgart -- (17.00)

Just when England get one striker fit they lose another. England need to win this for Michael Owen.

England and Ecuador haven't met in a competitive match before the 2006 World Cup Finals although they did play a friendly in Quito, which England won (2:0), before England went off to the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico.

If England are firing on all cylinders they should get the result but if they run out of steam in the second-half, it could get messy and England fans will be in for a bumpy ride.

England to cause plenty of panic for all concerned.

Portugal vs Holland
Nürnberg -- (21.00)

This is an interesting one, two teams that promise so much then fail to deliver; until now.

If past history is anything to go on, Portugal will be feeling happy. In nine previous encounters, Portugal have won five and drawn three.

Their last meeting was in Euro 2004; Portugal winning the semi-final match, in Lisbon (2:1).

Portugal and Holland were in the same qualifying group for the 2002 World Cup Finals; Portugal won in Rotterdam (2:0) and drew in Lisbon (1:1).

Portugal to get the edge, maybe on penalties.

Monday, 26th June

Italy vs Australia
Kaiserslautern -- (17.00)

This will be the first time Italy and Australia have met.

While Italy and Italians would expect the Azzuri to get the result here Australia will give it all they've got.

Depends on who gets the red card.

Switzerland vs Ukraine
Köln -- (21.00)

Switzerland haven't played Ukraine before. And to be honest, I know longer know what to expect from Ukraine. Excellent in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup Finals but a disappointment in qualifying for the Second Round once there.

Switzerland to sneak the win, unless the real Ukraine turn up; then Switzerland to be humiliated.

Tuesday, 27th June

Brazil vs Ghana
Dortmund -- (17.00)

The Black Stars have often been called the Brazil of Africa by their fans and it would be nice to see them put on a good show.

When Ghana met Brazil in Rio Preto, for a March 1996 friendly, they got a real lesson in Samba Football; as the home side ran out overwhealming winners (8:2).

The Real Brazil to step up a gear.

Spain vs France
Hannover -- (21.00)

France struggled to get out of their group while Spain had a stroll. When you look at Trezeguet and Henry you think France should be banging the goals in but they don't. While Spain, who like to underachieve, might just believe they can achieve something bigger...... than a one-nil win over Saudi Arabia.

Ok, I know. It was the reserves.

On the past seven encounters, France have won five and drawn one but this is their first meeting in World Cup football.

Spain won the last meeting (2:1), a friendly in Barcelona on 28th March, 2001. While France won the Euro 2000 match in Bruges (2:1) and both preliminary games for Euro 1996.

It looks like France are over the curve and Spain are on the rise.

A classic type of game to go to penalties and test the bottle of the players on the spot.