Tuesday's WCup Action
By Sportsbook.ag
Belgium vs. Algeria
Sportsbook.ag Line
Belgium -263, Algeria +550, Tie +350
Over/Under: 2.5 Goals (Over +110, Under -140)
The final group opens play on Tuesday when Belgium and Algeria square off Tuesday in their Group H opener.
After years of steadily intensifying hype, the moment is approaching for Belgium to be hurled in at the deep end of a World Cup and either float or drown. The fifth favorites for the trophy haven’t competed in the tournament for 12 years, but starting against Group H’s outsiders Algeria should assist their efforts to immediately acclimatize in Brazil.The Desert Foxes have won none of their past six World Cup encounters and failed to score a single goal in the 2010 edition despite finding themselves paired with USA, England and Slovenia – hardly the most daunting set of opponents.
Belgium’s roster is crammed with attacking talent like Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, yet they weren’t too prolific in qualifying, striking 18 times in 10 games. Just once in the whole process did they net more than two goals in a single match.Algeria’s difficulties in front of goal at the highest level combined with Belgium’s tendency to keep the score down suggest that the contest is likely to provide two goals or fewer.
At the last World Cup, 14 of the 16 opening group stage fixtures served up Under 2.5 goals, with Germany 4-0 over Australia and Brazil 2-1 versus North Korea the only exceptions. One other factor to be aware of is that Belgium always strives to operate on the front foot, scoring the first goal in nine of their 10 qualifiers and leading at halftime in six of the eight games that they won. The best wager to make for this game is the UNDER.
Brazil vs. Mexico
Sportsbook.ag Line
Brazil -384, Mexico +800, Tie +500
Over/Under: 3 Goals (Over -105, Under -115)
The fans of Brazil will cheer on their team Tuesday when their men go up against Mexico in the second game each of these teams will play in Group A. While Brazil is heavily favored, it will not be easy to defeat a Mexico team that has made it to the knockout rounds in five straight World Cups.
Brazil’s opening game in the 2014 World Cup got off to a rather nerve-wracking start for the team playing in front of its home crowd. Brazil had a rather effortless warm-up before the game and they came out very slow against Croatia. The away team was on the attack early and was able to score on an own goal early on to take a 1-0 lead.
But after Brazil fell behind early, the club eventually took complete control of the game thanks to the brilliant play of Neymar and some questionable calls by the referees. Neymar evened up the score just 29 minutes into the game after a strike that went in after hitting the post. He was all over the field in the game and certainly lived up to the pre-tournament hype. After the goal, Brazil was smooth sailing and would win 3-1 after yet another goal by Neymar off a controversial penalty call, and the final goal by Oscar in extra time.
Mexico was also able to open up Group A play with a victory over Cameroon. While Mexico was favored, the team barely escaped with a 1-0 victory. But getting the three points was all that mattered, and Mexico can now make a major splash by defeating or even tying Brazil in front of its home crowd.
This was yet another game that featured some controversial calls by the officials. Mexico put the ball in the back of the net twice, but was disallowed for offsides on both. Finally, Oribe Peralta was able to get himself to a loose ball off a rebound to put the game-winner home 61 minutes into the match. Mexico dominated play as it had the ball for 58% of the game. Playing against Brazil, however, will be a much bigger challenge.
Russia vs. South Korea
Sportsbook.ag Line
Russia +105, South Korea +230, Tie +225
Over/Under: 2.5 Goals (Over +160, Under -200)
The last of the 16 opening matches of the 2014 World Cup takes place Tuesday in Group H with Russia taking on underdog South Korea.
With both countries perceived to be fighting for the right to follow Belgium through as Group H runners-up, facing one another first is undesirable, as it creates the threat that one error could ruin their entire World Cup before it has truly got going. Usually in such circumstances, both teams play safe, and a dull draw follows that ensures neither last-16 hopeful enters the final two games at a disadvantage, but South Korea may lack the defensive tools to engineer such an outcome. The 2002 semi-finalists managed just two clean sheets from eight attempts in the final phase of Asian qualifying, and though they progressed from their group at the last World Cup, they conceded six goals in the process, including four against Argentina.
Russia – who beat South Korea in a friendly last year – were hugely impressive in qualifying, topping a tricky group that featured Portugal and Israel, the key to that success being a run of four wins to nil at the beginning of the campaign. That ability to start strongly was also apparent at recent international tournaments. In Euro 2012, they opened with a 4-1 victory over eventual group winners Czech Republic, while they got underway with a 2-0 triumph over Tunisia at their last World Cup in 2002.
However, if Russia once again claims an early three points, it doesn’t necessarily spell doom for South Korea, as the Europeans made a first-round exit on each of the aforementioned occasions despite assuming such a promising position. The pick here is to play the +225 money on a TIE and also pay the steep price for the UNDER to occur.
Belgium vs. Algeria Betting Preview and Pick
By: Hugh Wilson
Goal.com
Belgium and Algeria meet in Group H in Minas Gerais with both sides having contrasting qualification campaigns.
Whereas Algeria scrapped through in the final Africa qualification round, beating Burkina Faso on away goals, Marc Wilmots' men cruised through a tough group, winning eight of their 10 matches and staying unbeaten to top the table by nine clear points.
With qualification made to look easy by Belgium, it is no surprise that they are being backed by many to make headway in this competition.
The Rode Duivels come into this match after winning all three of their friendlies in preparation for the finals. They swept aside both Luxembourg and Sweden before beating Tunisia 1-0. With their last loss in a competitive match -- excluding friendlies -- occurring back in 2011 against Germany, Wilmots has put together a very strong squad. The LVH SuperBook has them at -260 to win this game.
Algeria will be no pushovers in their opening match, though. They should be confident after winning their three friendlies against European nations in the build-up to Brazil. Vahid Halilhodzic's side beat Slovenia, Aremina, and Romania in the last month but this is a step up in class for the underdogs. The LVH prices them at +750 to win, with the same book pricing the draw +350.
With the market heavily favoring Belgium, the -140 bet at the William Hill for the -1 handicap could be a play in this fixture. However, despite the opposition being weaker, this has not paid out against them in their last 13 matches so may be better left alone.
Instead, it is worth looking at goals in this fixture. Algeria are no slouches in front of goal, scoring in their last 13 games, including seven in their three warm-up contests. Belgium themselves do not struggle in the goals department, averaging over two per game in their last five matches.
With the likes of Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku leading the line, expect goals from the Rode Duivels. With two scoring sides likely to play out an open game, the OVER 2.5 goals bet -120 looks like a fantastic play with the LVH.
Mexico vs. Brazil Betting Preview and Pick
By: Phil Kitromilides
Goal.com
The second round of group games kicks off with the two sides who claimed victories in their opening fixtures in Group A.
Brazil were far from convincing in their 3-1 success over Croatia, a scoreline which flattered the hosts and does not tell the story of how they toiled against the Europeans.
Mexico for their part were enjoyably direct in their 1-0 win over Cameroon, scoring two more goals which were wrongly ruled out and generally moving the ball at a pleasing tempo, something that should come in very handy against a seemingly fragile host nation.
Brazil, of course, remain massive favorites for Tuesday's encounter (3 p.m. ET, ESPN), with CG Technologies pricing them at -340 odds, and Mexico offered at 9-to-1 and the draw available at +440.
Perhaps their somewhat lackluster performance in the opening game will serve as a catalyst for Brazil with their fans and indeed many neutrals hoping to see a more fluid display from Luis Felipe Scolari's side.
Mexico, meanwhile, will be hugely buoyed by their opening win, and they are a side that likes to attack.
Against a physical Cameroon outfit they swarmed forward; expect them to try and take the game to Brazil.
The bookmakers certainly think there should be goals in this one with William Hill U.S. posting a total of 3 goals (UNDER -115).
The OVER may tempt some bettors, but for those of us looking for something offering a little more value the price of 12-to-5 for Mexico to score in the first half looks like an excellent bet.
Mexico scored first-half goals in three of their last four CONCACAF qualifiers and scored a perfectly good first-half goal against Cameroon only for it to be ruled out.
While five times champions and hosts Brazil provide the sternest of opposition, there is enough to suggest that this could be a shrewd value bet and allows us to invest in the goals market at a particularly juicy price.
Mexico is also offered at plus-half a goal at +115 in first-half wagering.
Russia vs. South Korea Preview and Pick
By: Al Hain-Cole
Goal.com
Russia will be hoping to secure their first World Cup win in 12 years when they take on South Korea in Cuiaba on Tuesday night.
Having crashed out at the group stages in the Japan & South Korea 2002 tournament, Fabio Capello’s men are -120 favorites at the LVH SuperBook to give themselves a strong chance of progression this time out with victory tonight.
The Taegeuk Warriors, on the other hand, have reached the knockout stages in two of the last three editions but are +350 outsiders at the LVH to come out on top here.
Hong Myung-Bo’s team have not drawn any of their last 12 matches, but the same book is offering odds of +265 on them playing out a stalemate in this one.
While they were rarely spectacular in qualification, Capello’s team were as efficient as you would expect from a team managed by the canny Italian and did enough to see off an exciting Portugal outfit to seal first place in their group.
Unbeaten in 10 matches, they now arrive in Brazil in confident form and looking more than capable of making up for lost time at this level by progressing from one of the competition’s more open groups.
Conversely, their opponents only edged out modest Uzbekistan on goal difference to secure their place at this competition and subsequently endured a disappointing first-round exit at the East Asian Cup in their most recent competitive action.
Having won just seven of their last 23 matches in all competitions, the Koreans are unlikely to take to the field in very high spirits this evening, particularly after losing four of their last five including 4-0 defeats to both Mexico and Ghana.
Considering they have failed to find the net in all four of those defeats, odds of -120 are surely too good to miss on them coming unstuck against a strong defensive side that have conceded just once in their last four.
That bet looks even more convincing as the Russians came out on top when the sides met in a friendly match in Dubai just last November.
World Cup Game of the Day: Brazil vs. Mexico
By Covers.com
Brazil vs. Mexico (-333, +1000, Draw +500)
Brazil thrilled its legions of fans by handily winning its World Cup opener - and it should scare the rest of the tournament to know that the host team didn't even play that well. The Brazilian side will look to put together a stronger performance Tuesday as it faces Mexico in the continuation of Group A action at Fortaleza's Estadio Castelao. Brazil showed vulnerability in its 3-1 win over Croatia but prevailed thanks to a pair of goals from superstar Neymar.
Mexico also won its tournament opener - escaping with a 1-0 victory over Cameroon - and can advance with a win and a Croatia-Cameroon draw in their match Wednesday in Manaus. The Mexicans dropped a 2-0 decision to Brazil in a Confederations Cup match at the very same stadium where the teams will face off Tuesday. Brazil will also be looking to avenge a loss to a strong Mexican side in the gold-medal match at the 2012 Olympics in London.
WORLD RANKINGS: Brazil: No. 3; Mexico: No. 20.
INJURY REPORT: Brazil: F Hulk left practice Sunday with a left leg injury but says he will be fit to face Mexico; F Neymar earned a yellow card in the tournament opener and faces a one-game ban if he picks up a second. Mexico: None.
WHAT THE SHARPS SAY: "Brazil were fortunate to get past Croatia in the opening game after some controversial referring decisions. Both teams know that a win in Natal on Tuesday night will mean qualification to the 2nd Round. Expect an open and free flowing game in Natal tomorrow." Covers Expert Footy Tipster
WHAT THE BOOKS SAY: "Both of these teams are coming off opening game wins, Brazil is a big favorite in this game at (-384) to win, but so far the action is favoring the underdog Mexican squad with 55% of the action. What is seeing the most action is the over 3.5 goal total. Brazil is still the heavy favorite to win the World cup at +275 seeing 20% of the action on that future." - Michael Stewart of Carbonsports.com
ABOUT BRAZIL: Much was made about Brazil's ordinary opening match, which included a stunning early deficit, a questionable foul leading to the go-ahead penalty and a Croatian goal negated due to goalkeeper interference. "There will always be controversial calls in football," Brazil star Oscar told reporters afterward. "Sometimes it's good for one team, sometimes it's good for another." Hulk described his practice departure as a "precaution," and hopes to be 100 percent for Tuesday's game, played near his hometown and in front of a large collection of family and friends.
ABOUT MEXICO: Oscar's comments apply directly to the Mexicans' tournament opener, in which they saw a pair of goals disallowed before Peralta left no doubt with the game's lone strike in the second half. "I'm happy with how the team has been playing collectively," Mexico star Giovani Dos Santos said after the victory. "I think we are all understanding very well what (coach) Miguel Herrera wants us to do on the field." Mexico will be in tough, having defeated their rivals just once on Brazilian soil - a 2-1 triumph on Oct. 31, 1968.
TRENDS:
* Mexico has won seven of the previous 15 meetings between the teams.
* Brazil defeated Mexico in all three previous World Cup encounters by a combined score of 11-0.
* The Brazilians haven't lost a game on home soil since August 2002, winning 38 straight matches as the host in that span.
* Peralta has nine goals in his last seven caps for Mexico.