
South Africa and Canada eased us into the round of 32 on Sunday, but the knockout stage steps up a gear on Monday with three more ties and some heavyweight nations.
Brazil against Japan is some way to get us back into multiple games per day. In previous World Cups, this may have looked like a one-sided contest, but this Japan team have been one of the tournament's standout sides and are more than capable of springing a surprise.
Germany are strong favourites to see off Paraguay despite their 2-1 defeat to Ecuador last time out. Julian Nagelsmann's men had already wrapped up top spot in Group E before that game and will expect to get back on track here.
Morocco are much-fancied for a run here, but they are underdogs as they face the Netherlands in Guadalupe to round off Monday's action, with kick-off at 2am UK time.
Throughout the tournament, tipster Ben Smith has been providing our 2026 World Cup betting tips with a daily acca using BetMGM odds, focusing on player props, shots, cards and other stats-based markets rather than traditional match result and total goals betting.
I was a little surprised to see Brazil installed as such heavy favourites against Japan. Not only do I think the Asian side represent value in the main markets, but there are some appealing side-market angles too, namely their shots line.
Japan need 10 efforts to land this bet and, unless they score early and spend the rest of the afternoon protecting a lead, I struggle to see them falling short.
When they decide to take the game to opponents, they're capable of doing it against almost anyone. We saw that when they beat Germany at the last World Cup, where they also beat Spain. More recently, they outshot Brazil 15-9 in a 3-2 victory last October.
They've perhaps played within themselves at times during this tournament. The first half against the Netherlands lacked ambition, but once they needed a goal, they pinned the Dutch back, earned a point and finished with 10 shots. They managed only eight against Sweden, although there was very little riding on that game.
Brazil have also allowed opponents plenty of opportunities. Morocco and Scotland both registered 14 shots against Carlo Ancelotti's side, which suggests Japan can comfortably get into double figures if the game state allows.
Julio Enciso has been at the heart of Paraguay's run to the knockout stage. The Strasbourg attacker has supplied two assists, but just as importantly, he constantly wins free-kicks in good areas.
He's already been fouled eight times at this World Cup and, against Germany, Paraguay are likely to look for him whenever they break forward.
That points towards Jonathan Tah. Averaging 1.63 fouls per 90 under Julian Nagelsmann, he's Germany's most combative defender and will often be the one stepping out to engage Enciso between the lines. Given the way Paraguay build through their star man, Tah looks a good bet to concede a couple of fouls here.
A Virgil van Dijk shot on target formed part of my winning acca on June 14th. He was 29/10 to hit the target against Japan and obliged by heading the Netherlands in front.
The Dutch captain also tested the goalkeeper against Tunisia, yet he's available at the same price to repeat the feat here. Against a Morocco side that isn’t the tallest, that looks worth backing again.
We can boost the odds to 7/1 by adding an Ismael Saibari shot on target. The PSV man hit the target in all three group matches and made every effort count, scoring with each of them.
The Netherlands haven't looked especially secure defensively either. Sweden's strike partnership of Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak combined for four shots on target against them, while Tunisia forward Hazem Mastouri managed two on his own.
Saibari arrives in excellent form and has every chance of extending his impressive tournament by testing Bart Verbruggen at least once.
This acca combines a few different angles from Monday's knockout ties. Japan's attacking intent makes their shots line look achievable against a Brazil side that has already allowed opportunities. Jonathan Tah's likely battle with Julio Enciso points towards another busy evening in the fouls market, while the Netherlands and Morocco selection is built around two players who have consistently found the target throughout the tournament.
Combined, these picks make a nice 33/1 shot with BetMGM.
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