Monday's Best World Cup Bets
Brazil (-256) vs. Chile (+519, 2.5)
The last time Brazil fell to Chile, Britney Spears was still an innocent school girl.
This battle between South American rivals has been a one-side fight, with the Brazilians defeating Chile in their last seven meeting – outscoring its opponent 26-3 in those contests. The last time Chile knocked off Brazil was in a 2000 qualifier for World Cup 2002.
"Now we get to the stage where the 90 minutes will be decisive, mistakes are not allowed or you will be going home," Brazil coach Dunga told reporters. "Chile has been improving, it has a team with good players and will fight very hard to keep advancing."
These countries have played twice before in World Cup competition, with Brazil taking decisive wins in both meetings. It won 4-1 over Chile in 1998 and defeated their South American foes 4-2 way back in 1962. Brazil was also victorious in its two qualifying matches with Chile for this year’s World Cup, winning 3-0 in 2008 and 4-2 in 2009.
Heading into this match, Brazil will have midfielder Elano back from injury and superstar Kaka back from suspension. Chile is shorthanded with defenders Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce out due to suspension and midfielder Marco Estrada out after being ejected from Friday’s loss to Spain.
Pick: Brazil
Netherlands (-312) vs. Slovakia (+616, 2.5)
Slovakia is settling into the role of Cinderella at the 2010 World Cup.
The upstart Slovaks advanced to the Round of 16 with a 3-2 win over Italy in the final game of Group F play, setting up Monday’s date with the undefeated Dutch in the opening of the knockout stage.
“Perhaps we can also surprise the Dutch,” Robert Vittek told German Press Agency dpa. “We know they are the favorites but so were Italy.”
The Netherlands could be ripe for the picking in this spot. Injuries have slowed stars Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie during group play and manager Bert van Marwijk is hesitant to throw his top players back into the mix so quickly. The Netherlands won all three of their Group E games but has an easy draw against Denmark, Japan and just edged a Cameroon team that was already eliminated from the tournament.
“It’s going to be difficult. They are very strong as a team, especially going forward,” Vittek told reporters. “But we have nothing to lose.”
Pick: Slovakia