World Cup Toay, 17/6/14

Belgium v Algeria is a game a lot of fans have been anticipating, mainly due to the massive amount of young talent in the team Marc Wilmots is building, and when you consider the way players like Cristian Benteke, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Vincent Kompany have lit up the Premier League that comes as no surprise. Lukaku is fit to play after overcoming an ankle injury, but there doubts over players like Kevin De Bruyne and Divock Origi due to robust training ground tackles, and with only Hassan Yedba doubtful for Algeria this might be a chance of an upset.

Belgium – Belgium for H/Time-F/Time

Eden Hazard to score First

Eden Hazard to score anytime

Over 2.5 Total Goals

Without doubt the local interest will be focussed on Brazil v Mexico, a rerun of the 2012 London Olympic final which Mexico won, and a game many are suggesting might be an upset after the opening night shenanigans vs Croatia. Of course the Brazilians didn’t have their full roster than fateful night at Wembley and are on home soil here, but there is a massive amount of pressure on Neymar and company, and that won’t make this game any simpler.

Hulk left training on Sunday as a precaution, but is expected to start this match anyway although the home side have a more-than adequate replacement in Bernard if need be. Mexico have no injury concerns at this stage, at least according to their team, and if they can overcome their opponents it will set us up for an interesting end to the group and the evening, as the final game will surely feature a large ‘neutral’ element in the crowd.

Brazil v Mexico (8PM KO – UK Time)

Brazil – Brazil for H/Time-F/Time

Guedes Fred to score First

Junior Neymar to score anytime

Over 2.5 Total Goals

Russia and South Korea are actually the last two sides to play, and will do so after Brazil finish their second game of the tournament but they are certainly not teams that can be ignored, with both featuring a few quality players even if previous results are a little unreliable to judge them on. A good example of that would be the incredible performance Korea saw at the 2002 World Cup in their own country, but without that advantage and all that was added we’re probably not going to see that sort of result again.

There are a few in the Russian squad that are probably on their last legs, but the likes of Sergei Ignashevich and Aleksandr Kerzhakov still have something to offer and in Alan Dzagoev they have a man with the ability to be as good as he wants, really. As for the Koreans, they come to this World Cup without a single player over the age of 30 in their setup and have a fair few playing in the tops leagues around Europe, so this should be a high-quality encounter judging on paper, and also finishes off the first round of group matches.

Russia to win

Russia – Russia for H/Time-F/Time

Alexander Kerzhakov to score anytime

Both Teams to Score (Yes)