World Cup Round of 16: Injuries and Suspensions Bettors Should Know

World Cup Round of 16: Injuries and Suspensions Bettors Should Know article feature image
Credit:

Getty Images. Pictured: Colombia’s James Rodriguez

  • Colombia's James Rodriguez is a huge question mark for Tuesday's match against England after being subbed off vs. Senegal.
  • Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are all a yellow card away from suspension if they're disciplined in the Round of 16.
  • Yellow cards will reset starting in the quarterfinals.

Argentina vs. France (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, FOX)

Midfielder Enzo Perez was questionable for Argentina with a mid-body injury but he's in the starting XI for Saturday.

Players who will be suspended for the quarterfinal if they pick up another yellow card in this match: Lionel Messi, Marcos Acuna, Banega, Javier Mascherano, Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi.

For France, defender Samuel Umtiti is likely not 100% and did not feature against Denmark. Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Corentin Tolisso are one card away from a suspension.

Uruguay vs. Portugal (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, FOX)

Defender Jose Gimenez (quad) is trending toward probable for Group A winners Uruguay. Rodrigo Bentancur is a booking away from suspension.

For Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Adrien Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Cedric Soares, Ricardo Quaresma and Raphael Guerreiro are a card away from suspension.

Spain vs. Russia (Sunday, 10 a.m. ET, FOX)

A red card in the last match vs. Uruguay means Russia's Igor Smolnikov is suspended against Spain. Additionally, central midfielder Alan Dzagoev is out with a hamstring injury. The next card for Aleksandr Golovin, Fedor Smolov and Yuri Gazinsky will leave them suspended.

On Spain's side, Sergio Busquets is a card away from suspension.

Croatia vs. Denmark (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, FOX)

Croatia winger Marko Pjaca will be suspended one game if he receives another yellow card.

Denmark's Delaney, Sisto and Jorgensen are all on yellow cards.

Brazil vs. Mexico (Monday, 10 a.m. ET, FOX)

Defender Marcelo had to leave Brazil's last group match against Serbia with back spasms, which team doctors believe is the fault of a bad mattress. Midfielder Douglas Costa (hamstring) and defender Danilo (thigh) both missed the last match and are very much in doubt to play against Mexico.

Neymar, Coutinho and Casemiro are all sitting on a yellow card.

Mexico will definitely be without key defender Hector Moreno due to yellow-card accumulation. Hugo Ayala is an option off the bench to slide into the back line. Herrera, Gallardo and Layun are a caution away from suspension.

Belgium vs. Japan (Monday, 2 p.m. ET, FOX)

Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku (ankle) and midfielder Eden Hazard (calf) sat out the last group game against England but should be ready to go for the Round of 16 against Japan.

Attacking midfielder Dries Mertens (ankle) did not start vs. England but came out late as a sub, so he should be full strength for the next match. De Bruyne, Vertonghen and Meunier are the players with yellow cards.

Japan's Kawashima, Inui and Hasebe are a card from suspension.

Sweden vs. Switzerland (Tuesday, 10 a.m. ET, FS1)

Surprisingly, Switzerland has been the center of disciplinary issues. Two key won't play against Sweden due to yellow card accumulation: Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schär.

They also have three players facing suspension with another card: Shaqiri, Behrami and Zakaria.

Sweden will be without midfielder Sebastian Larsson (suspension), who is also dealing with a head/upper-body injury. Claesson, Ekdal and Lustig have yellow cards.

Colombia vs. England (Tuesday, 2 p.m. ET, FOX)

Colombia suffered a potentially brutal blow in the first half vs. Senegal with star midfielder James Rodriguez limping off after 30 minutes. He was already dealing with a minor calf injury, but it has not been specified if this is a new injury or a re-aggravation. His absence would be visible in the odds, and the team is said to be very concerned. If he does play, he also needs to avoid a card.

Barrios and Mojica are the other Colombian players on yellow cards.

Los Cafeteros may also be without Abel Aguilar (groin), who already missed the Senegal match.

England are healthy and with only two players on a caution: Kyle Walker and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.



How would you rate this article?

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.