The attention at the World Cup now turns to the last 16, where many may be expecting the Netherlands and Argentina to tee-up a mouthwatering quarter-final.

Group A winners the Netherlands face another undefeated since in Group B runners-up the USA, while Group C victors Argentina lock horns with Australia, who played second fiddle to France in Group D.

The two winners will meet in the last eight and Racing Post's Aaron Ashley gives his best tips for the two knockout contests in Qatar on Saturday.

Defences likely to come to the fore

What: Netherlands v USA, World Cup last 16

Where: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha

When: 15.00, Saturday 3rd December 2022

How to watch: BBC1

Odds: Netherlands 10/11, Draw 23/10, USA 10/3

After topping their section with seven points, scoring five goals and conceding only one, many may be anticipating some Dutch delight in this last-16 duel.

Louis van Gaal's side kick-started their World Cup bid with a 2-0 win over Senegal before drawing 1-1 with Ecuador and closing out a successful Group A campaign with another 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar.

But those results don't tell the full story and the Dutch are perhaps fortunate to still have their unbeaten record intact.

The Oranje scored twice from just three shots on target against Senegal, with both goals coming after the 84th minute, while despite taking the lead against Ecuador inside just six minutes they failed to register another effort on goal.

In fact, they lost the shot count 15-2 to the spirited Ecuadorians and could be vulnerable to a USA side that is also undefeated and plays with plenty of energy.

The Stars and Stripes followed home England in Group B, holding the Three Lions to a goalless draw, while also sharing the spoils with Wales (1-1) and grinding out a 1-0 win over Iran.

And in what is a winner-takes-all contest, it is easy to envisage defences coming to the fore as all six games involving these teams in Qatar have featured two or fewer goals.

Fourteen of the USA's last 18 internationals have seen two or fewer goals scored while each of the Dutch's last five games have also featured under 2.5 goals.

That looks a solid bet at 8/13 while there could be some value in backing the Americans to qualify at 7/4.

While the Dutch have genuinely been disappointing, Gregg Berhalter's men were the better team in their goalless draw with England, who have greater firepower than Van Gaal's men, and they have lost only four of their last 33 internationals.

With star man Memphis Depay yet to hit top form, the Netherlands have relied on PSV youngster Cody Gakpo for their inspiration.

But the Americans are well-organised and have plenty of European quality of their own, suggesting they could be overpriced to land another upset in what has been a World Cup full of surprises. 

La Albiceleste are finding their stride

What: Argentina v Australia, World Cup last 16

Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan

When: 19.00, Saturday 3rd December 2022

How to watch: BBC1

Odds: Argentina 1/5, Draw 6/1, Australia 14/1

Since suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, Argentina have risen to the challenge and they head into their last-16 contest with Australia as red-hot favourites to qualify.

Despite that opening loss, La Albiceleste were able to top their section following a brace of 2-0 wins over Mexico and Poland and they have now lost only one of their last 39 internationals.

Argentina are certainly growing into this World Cup and having landed in the weakest quarter of the draw, should be optimistic about their chances of at least making the semi-final.

The Argies saved their best performance yet for the latest win over Poland, a game in which they had 12 shots on target while their opponents failed to test goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

That defensive discipline already doesn't bode well for the Aussies, who must go down as shock qualifiers and made the last-16 despite scoring just three goals.

The Socceroos also lost their opening game in Qatar as they were thrashed 4-1 by France but they showed their steely nature in the 1-0 wins over Tunisia and Denmark that followed.

But while Argentina have Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez as their attacking options, Australia look short on firepower and their best chance of success will be on the counter-attack.

However, Lionel Scaloni's men have now kept clean sheets in seven of their last eight matches and backing the South American heavyweights to win to nil makes plenty of appeal at 8/13.

Another interesting betting angle is the draw-Argentina double result at 5/2.

Argentina have conceded only four goals in their last 18 games but Australia are also resolute at the back.

Having kept clean sheets in five of their last six internationals, Graham Arnold's team are evidently well-managed and are capable of frustrating Argentina for large periods.

La Albiceleste were drawing 0-0 at half-time in each of their victories over Mexico and Poland and will also be expected to finish this knockout tie strongly.