This is the World Cup that keeps on giving. After the explosive, goal scoring bonanza of the group stage, the second round was more like a game of chess, but just as exciting. Many of the games had looked one sided on paper, but were anything but one sided on the Brazilian turf. That's one of the reasons why the competition at TotelFootball is just as fierce as it is in Rio or Bela Horizonte.

Despite scares and complications in every game, all 8 group winners have progressed to the Quarter Finals, for the first time in World Cup history. Lets have a look at what to expect in what FIFA suits are probably calling 'the round of 8'.

FRANCE V GERMANY (Friday 4th July, 5pm)

The quarter finals kick off in explosive style. I won't mention the war though, I'll leave that to the big game commentators. It doesn't get much bigger than this one, as Didier Deschamp's France take on Joachim Low's Germany.

France have been the more consistent of the two sides. Karim Benzema has carried his club form across to the national team, and is a potent threat to any defence. Paul Pogba, on the other hand, has been less than brilliant. He has hyped up to the stars before and even during the tournament, but France fans have been unhappy at his performances. If there was a golden boot for giving the ball away, he would be a real contender. It remains to be seen whether his late goal against Nigeria will boost his form, as he's never been a player short of confidence. If Pogba has disappointed then Matuidi and Valbuena have shone. I expect France to replace Olivier Giroud with Antoine Griezmann, and if they do it could be too much for Germany to handle.

Germany started their campaign in style. In fact, it was the fourth world cup in a row that they've scored four or more goals in their opening game. That hasn't paved the way for them to lift the trophy, and the same fate could befall them again. Unfortunately, they seem to be getting worse with every game, and they were very fortunate to overcome a resilient Argentina that was almost a France B-team. There's an over reliance on Muller, and using Lahm in midfield is looking a flawed policy. Injuries alone should see Lahm drop back to his ideal spot at right back. Germany certainly have the ability to win if they return to their best, but on current form I see France taking this by the odd goal in a high scoring encounter.

BRAZIL V COLOMBIA (Friday 4th July, 9pm)

Friday is a night for all football fans to be sat in front of the television, tallying up their Totel Football points. We have yet another cracking, and difficult to predict, encounter as Brazil face their second all South American  encounter in a row.

The hosts were very fortunate to win against Chile. They were saved by their crossbar, which has now been given the freedom of the country. Neymar looked off sorts, and this is just how he's been at Barcelona. Inconsistent. He started the tournament brilliantly, but could he be entering a slump at a critical time? If so, Brazil are finished. There's nobody to back him up. The statistics computer doesn't measure how far Fred runs in a match in yards, but in feet and inches. David Luiz is a more likely choice to score, and I expect to see him run forward in frustration at every opportunity.

The fact is that Colombia are a better team than Chile. They're fantastically well drilled, and work well as a team. In James Rodriguez, they have the find of the tournament. He's being called the next Messi. We've heard that before, of course, but his performances have so far lived up to the billing. Can the Brazilian defence cope with him? Thiago Silva is often touted as the best defender in the world, but I remain to be convinced. With Martinez a more than effective foil, I fully expect Colombia to progress and send the home nation into mourning. I hope that the riot police are on stand-by.

ARGENTINA v BELGIUM (Saturday 5th July, 5pm)

This game may be more of a slow burner than Friday's encounters, but it's just as difficult to predict. They say that the sign of a good team is being able to win when they aren't playing well. In that case, Argentina must be a very, very, very good team. To put it frankly, they have looked less than average in every game, especially in their encounter against Switzerland. There is an exception of course. Lionel Messi. Messi has been his usual spectacular self, but he has had no support at all from his team mates. Higuain and Di Maria are supposed to be world beaters, but they've played as if football is an alien concept to them. Di Maria was putting in a contender for worst performance of the tournament against Switzerland until his late goal. And that's some achievement when he's up against the likes of Fred and Phil Jagielka.

Belgium have been hyped up since the tournament kicked off. They've won every match, but haven't looked particularly impressive in any of them. Eden Hazard has looked muted, whereas Fellaini has played exactly like he does for his club. That's not a compliment. Surely it's time for the big haired one to take his rightful place on the bench? Adnan Januszaj could be a surprise replacement. USA had them on the ropes at the end of their tie, and a better team should put them away. Argentina have been too bad to believe, and I expect them to finally shake off their lethargy and see off the Belgians by a couple of goals.

NETHERLANDS V COSTA RICA (Saturday 5th July, 9pm)

This is the one tie that looks easy to predict, but at this World Cup you just never know. With Robben and Van Persie in the ranks, the Dutch are an argument waiting to happen. Van Persie, in particular, looked below par in the last game, and he could find his place under threat from Van Huntelaar. Wesley Schneider put in an improved perform against Mexico, and he'll be hoping to keep that up as he seeks, as ever, to attract the interest of Premier League clubs.

Costa Rica have exceeded all their hopes in reaching this stage, but they won't go out without a fight. Expect lots of crunching tackles, and Robben to fly through the air whenever a player comes within ten yards of him. Brian Ruiz is playing the football of his life, and he will be at his best again. Costa Rica showed incredible resilience in holding off Greece with only 10 men. Will that have drained their energy too much. Joel Campbell looked dead on his feet, but still found the reserves of energy to convert his spot kick. It's this refusal to give in that gives Costa Rica a chance of causing another upset. Suspensions may, however, take their toll and I expect the Dutch to win a close encounter within 90 minutes.