Spain

Monday's Croatia-Spain battle will not get top billing in the round of 16, but it is one of the most intriguing games of the round. The star power is arguably in Croatia's favor with Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, but the likes of Sergio Busquets, Koke, Pedri and Alvaro Morata are all more than capable of playing a starring role on the day. Both midfield units have the potential to take over a game with their passing abilities and their strength on the ball in possession. Perisic will get forward more to deliver goals and assists as Modric largely looks to control the game, while the Spanish midfielders typically deliver the final pass, or the second-to-last pass in the buildup to goals. However, it has been tough for the Spaniards to finish off some of those passes. La Roja scored a single goal in the first two group games before blowing by an outmatched Slovakia side. Alvaro Morata did not score in the 5-0 onslaught, but he did find the back of the net in the 1-1 draw with Poland. If the Spanish forwards bank off the confidence gained from the last two games and the midfielders keep the ball away from Modric and Perisic, Spain should find a path to victory in what could be a low-scoring affair. Prediction: Spain