Sunday's Best World Cup Bets
Germany (+105) vs. England (+135, 2.5)
The animal kingdom has had its hand in handicapping some of sports' biggest events – be it the NHL playoffs or Super Bowl Sunday.
It seems the latest beast picking winners is a physic octopus named Paul. He’s correctly called all of Germany’s World Cup games so far and hit at an 80 percent rate during the team’s run at the 2008 European Championships, according to the Oberhausen Sea Life Aquarium.
Paul’s latest selection is a win for the Germans when they face classic rival England in Sunday’s Round of 16 knockout game. The cephalopod was baited with two mussels, one in a tank with the German flag and the other in a tank baring the Cross of St. George.
"Paul's prediction was phenomenal," said aquarium spokesman Tanja Munzig told the BBC.
"He swam straight over to the German glass, climbed in and even put a lid on top once he was sitting inside."
While this does seem like an insane way to bet your money, Paul the octopus did called Germany’s loss to Serbia in the second game of the tournament, which would have made any followers a pretty penny.
Who are we to argue with nature?
Pick: Germany
Argentina (-277) vs. Mexico (+440, 2.5)
Argentina knows it has a target on its back when it faces Mexico in the Round of 16 Sunday. The Argentines eliminated the Mexicans in the same round back in 2006, taking a 2-1 victory in the knockout stage.
“We're going to respect them, but Mexico will have to know that we will also have to respect ourselves on the pitch,” manager Diego Maradona told the media. “We know that we face a difficult game, but with the team we have, with the players we have, we can go on to the next round.”
Maradona has put the emphasis on his defense and midfield play despite Argentina taking a maximum of nine points in group play, scoring seven total goals and leading the World Cup in shots on goal.
Argentina expects a similar cautious plan from Mexico, which has lost to the Argentines in seven of their last 11 meetings.
“They're going to stay back and seek counterattacks,” midfielder Maxi Rodriguez told reporters.
With both teams waiting for the other to slip up, this should be a low-scoring contest that plays under the 2.5-goal total.
Pick: Under