SOCCER FOOTBALL 24H

France v Argentina Saturday, 15:00 Live on BBC Les Bleus lack punch in attack France are  2.52  favourites to beat Argentina in the first Last-16 clash on Saturday lunchtime. Didier Deschamps' players were not especially impressive during the knockout phase but qualified with seven points from three matches and conceded just one goal. Their problems were at the other end: despite a glittering array of attacking talent France managed to score just once from open play. Admittedly that was partly because they went through the motions in their final group game vs Denmark, an encounter that ended in a 0-0 draw that suited both teams - but it's not as though  les Bleus  were much more impressive in their first two matches, either. Antoine Griezmann has been the side's biggest disappointment so far.  The Atletico Madrid striker has looked a shadow of the player that inspired France to the Euro 2016 final, finishing as the tournament's top scorer and best ...

Uruguay v Portugal Saturday, 19:00 Live on ITV Unblemished record for South Americans Uruguay coasted to  top spot in Group A  after winning all three matches without conceding a goal. The South Americans were disappointing during their 1-0 victories over Egypt and Saudi Arabia but produced their best performance in a  3-0 victory  over Russia which saw them overhaul the World Cup hosts. Oscar Taberez's side are viewed as potential outsiders to challenge for the tournament and their display against Russia offered encouragement about their prospects. Uruguay were aided by a weak group but there is great strength down the spine of the team.  Luis Suarez has scored twice and is joined by Edinson Cavani in an attack which is potent when in the groove. Diego Godin is an exceptional defender at the back and has helped his side keep clean sheets in all three group games. Portugal still heavily reliant on Ronaldo Portugal were certainly not one for th...

England v Belgium Thursday 19:00, Live on ITV1 Match Odds: England  2.80 , Belgium  3.00 , The Draw  3.20 . England and Belgium meet in the final Group G match, with both sides having collected six points from their opening two matches, following wins over both Panama and Tunisia. Neither of those games provided much of a test for either side, and therefore it's still somewhat  difficult to assess  the quality of these sides, particularly in a defensive sense. Who wants it more? This should, by rights, be a nail-biting decider. The problem, though, is that neither side desperately wants to win - because that will put them on the more difficult half of the draw, and possibly on course to meet Brazil or Germany at the quarter-final stage. With the three potential qualifiers from Group H - Senegal, Colombia and Japan - all of a similar quality, the second round isn't too much of a problem. These sides should be  plotting their route  further...

Japan v Poland Thursday 28 June, 15:00 Live on BBC Impressive Japan just need a point It was hard to assess the Samurai Blues' opening fixture. The 10 men of Colombia weren't the force they would have been had Carlos Sanchez not been sent off after three minutes and  Shinji Kagawa 's early penalty (following Sanchez's deliberate handball) certainly put Japan in the driving seat but having been pegged back before half time, Japan organised themselves really well in the second half,  dominated possession  and deservedly ran out 2-1 winners. They were even more impressive in their second match with Senegal when they again dominated possession. The Lions of Taranga took the lead twice but Japan fought like tigers to deny them. Sadio Mane's first half strike was cancelled out by a superb curling finish by  Takashi Inui  and  Keisuke Honda  squared the game again in the 78th minute after Moussa Wague had put the African side in front. It was the le...