The latest odds on Tuesday's games.
World Cup 2014’s Day 6 sees the last of the group stage’s opening fixtures play out, with all of Group H’s teams in action and the return of the hosts, Brazil.
Belgium vs. Algeria, 17:00
The first game of the day sees World Cup dark horses Belgium begin their campaign and look to live up to their billing as one of the favourites for the trophy.
Placed in a generous group alongside South Korea, Russia and Tuesday’s opponents, Algeria, the Belgians are expecting three wins out of three on their road to the last 16 and they’ll be hoping to score a few goals along the way.
With the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Adnan Januzaj in their ranks, you’d back them to find the net a fair few times and they’re 3/1 to beat Algeria by 3 goals or more with SkyBet.
It’s not just the Belgians’ front line that has made them such an international force, though, as the talent of Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen keeps them solid on the defensive front. With Algeria unlikely to cause Belgium many problems, Marc Wilmots’ side are an attractive-looking 6/4 to win to nil with SkyBet.
In Lukaku, Belgium boast one of the brightest strikers at the World Cup, and with four goals in his last three internationals, it’s not hard to see why he’s been tipped for greatness in Brazil. You can get the Chelsea man at 11/4 to score either first or last against Algeria with SkyBet and 3/1 to net a brace.
Brazil vs. Mexico, 20:00
Host nation Brazil return to action after Belgium’s opener, with Miguel Herrera’s Mexico the latest side to try to ruin the samba party.
Though Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side ran out 3-1 winners in the World Cup’s curtain-raiser against Croatia, they were far from convincing and are 9/1 to come unstuck and lose to the Mexicans on Tuesday.
While Brazil were far from at their best in Sao Paulo, one man that shone was young sensation Neymar, whose brace was offered at 3/1 with SkyBet before the match.
His goals and exciting style of play make him an early shoo-in for the Golden Boot, and he’s 11/4 with SkyBet to continue his strong form in front of goal with the game’s opener against Mexico.
Almost exactly one year ago, Brazil and Mexico met in the Confederations Cup with Scolari’s side running out 2-0 winners in Fortaleza. Though the Mexicans made a good account of themselves in that game, history repeating itself is well within the realms of possibility and SkyBet have 2-0 at 5/1.
However, with Brazil’s shaky defence always vulnerable to conceding, taking SkyBet’s offer of evens for both teams to score is good value.
Russia vs. South Korea, 23:00
Day 6’s action concludes with a crunch Group H match in Cuiaba, as Russia take on South Korea.
With Belgium looking like running away with the group and minnows Algeria given very little chance of knockout-stage progression, Group H’s runners-up could all but be decided on Tuesday.
Though Russia are undoubtedly the stronger outfit and 19/20 favourites with SkyBet to win the match, South Korea have a knack of winning their opening World Cup fixtures.
They’ve won each of their last three World Cup opening fixtures from 2002 to 2010 and they stand at 9/1 to scrape a 1-0 victory against the Russians on Day 6.
However, their recent form suggests that their fruitful opening-match record could be coming to an end, having lost five of their last seven internationals.
During that wretched spell, the South Koreans have failed to get on the scoresheet four times and are 13/8 with SkyBet to once again fail to find the net against Russia.
Russian manager Fabio Capello’s tactical approach will see him field one player up front, with Aleksandr Kokorin likely to get the nod. The Dynamo Moscow star is 6/1 to score first against South Korea with SkyBet and 7/4 to score anytime.
Another three scintillating ties in prospect in the World Cup on Day 6, and though Day 5 brought about the first 0-0 draw of the tournament, with the teams in action on Tuesday it’s unlikely there’ll be a second anytime soon.