This summer's Brazilian bonanza has certainly lived up to the hype. With 136 goals scored over 48 group stage games the punters have been piling on the goal markets and will hope for more of the same as we look at the 2014 World Cup odds ahead of the round of 16 match-ups.
Colombia vs Uruguay
First up we look at the team that dumped England out of the tournament in just the second match, as Oscar Tabarez's Uruguay side face free-scoring Colombia. This should be a passionate an entertaining all-South American affair, though Uruguay will be without star man Luis Suarez and the bite he offers in attack.
Jose Pekerman's men have been one of the most thrilling sides to watch in the tournament, with only Netherlands netting more in the group stages (9). Uruguay are not the strongest at the back but even without Suarez they too carry a goal threat, scoring in each of their Group D encounters, and with Rodriguez and Cuadrado in fine form a bet on over 2.5 goals will be tempting for any budding footy tipster.
Costa Rica vs Greece
The other team to progress at the expense of the Three Lions were Costa Rica, and while their match up with Greece may be the least glamourous of the round - by a distance - there's good value on this game. The Central Americans are undoubtedly the surprise package of the tournament, transformed from no-hopers to group winners, and they will be confident of making the quarter finals for the first time in their history. No side conceded fewer goals in the group stages (1), while their opponents Greece scored the fewest of all of those to reach the last 16 (2) so another Costa Rica clean sheet could be on the cards.
Germany vs Algeria
Plenty had Germany down as their favourites ahead of the FIFA 2014 World Cup and Low's side showcased exactly why in glimpses during the group stages. They'll be heavy favourites against Algeria but the Africans did well to emerge from Group H, netting 6 times in the process and at least once in each of their games. With a 23% conversion rate enough to rank third in the group stages, Algeria boast some impressive attacking players and while Germany's squad is full of talent, the likelihood of both teams scoring (13 between them in the group stages) could offer good value.
Argentina vs Switzerland
There was real pressure on Lionel Messi to perform at this tournament having netted just once at previous World Cups and he has certainly stepped up to the plate. He's taken that tally to 5 already - no player scored more in the group stages (4) - and was Argentina's first goalscorer in each of their three matches. With opponents Switzerland having conceded the opener in their first two group games a bet on the Barca-man to be first goalscorer seems logical.
Belgium vs USA
Our final tip concerns the timing of goals, with the conditions clearly having an effect on players as each game wears on. Indeed, 84 of the 136 goals in the group stages were netted in the second half of matches (62%) and few left it later than Belgium. Marc Wilmots' side took a lot of peoples’ fancy ahead of the tournament but haven't been wholly convincing. Nevertheless, they were one of just 4 teams to win all of their group games, with all 4 of their goals in the process coming in the final 20 minutes of matches. The Red Devils will be hoping to put the US to the sword with another late strike in the final round of 16 clash.
Who will your money be on in the World Cup Round of 16 clashes? Let us know in the comments below
