THE World Cup has already sprung a few surprises with the likes of Brazil, Germany and Argentina all failing to beat lesser-fancied opponents; now for the second phase of games.

Today (Thursday, ITV, 1pm): Denmark v Australia. Denmark 10/11; Draw 12/5; Australia 19/5. Neither of these teams particularly impressed in their first game but Denmark can win again and virtually assure qualification. Prediction: Denmark 1 Australia 0.

Today (Thursday, ITV, 4pm) France v Peru. France 4/7; Draw 16/5; Peru 6/1. Peru sent a first-half penalty into orbit against Denmark and dominated the game without scoring. They can sneak a point here but have an awful lot to do to get out of the group. Prediction: France 2 Peru 2.

Today (Thursday, BBC1, 7pm) Argentina v Croatia. Argentina 13/12 (Unibet); Draw 14/5; Croatia 31/10. Argentina were tipped as World Cup flops and their mediocre effort against Iceland does not alter that view. Croatia were much more impressive against Nigeria. Prediction: Argentina 0 Croatia 1.

Friday (ITV, 1pm) Brazil v Costa Rica. Brazil 2/9 (Ladbrokes); Draw 61/10 (Unibet); Costa Rica 20/1 (Betfair Sportsbook). The Samba Boys were caught napping in their opening fixture but will collect a no-nonsense victory against the Central American outsiders. Prediction: Brazil 3 Costa Rica 0.

Friday (BBC1, 4pm) Nigeria v Iceland. Iceland 17/10; Draw 11/5; Nigeria 19/10. Nigeria will have to match Iceland’s work ethic to have a say in this encounter and the evidence provided so far suggests the little North Atlantic country will continue to punch above their weight. Prediction: Nigeria 1 Iceland 2.

Friday (BBC1, 7pm) Serbia v Switzerland. Serbia 17/10 (Betfair Sportsbook); Draw 21/10; Switzerland 21/10 (Bet365). Both sides got off to a decent start and this clash has got stalemate written all over it. Prediction: Serbia 1 Switzerland 1.

Saturday (BBC1, 1pm) Belgium v Tunisia. Belgium 3/10; Draw 19/4 (Bet365); Tunisia 12/1. Tunisia are likely to be similarly unambitious as they were against England and another narrow defeat is on the cards. Prediction: Belgium 1 Tunisia 0.

Saturday (ITV, 4pm) Mexico v South Korea. Mexico 8/13; Draw 3/1 (Bet365); South Korea 11/2. Mexico were the success story of the first phase of games and will avoid following up a brilliant performance with a complacent one. Prediction: Mexico 3 South Korea 1.

Saturday (ITV, 7pm) Germany v Sweden. Germany 4/9; Draw 4/1; Sweden 8/1. The consensus is that Germany will bounce back against European opposition but they were poor against Mexico and this is definitely a watch rather than bet-on contest. Prediction: Germany 1 Sweden 0.

Sunday (BBC1, 1pm). England v Panama. England 1/5 (Skybet); Draw 13/2 (Betfred); Panama 25/1 (Bet365). English players should throw themselves into the nearest canal if they lose to Panama. Prediction: England 5 Panama 1.

Sunday (BBC1, 4pm). Japan v Senegal. Senegal 11/10; Draw 12/5; Japan 16/5 (Betfair Sportsbook). Both teams earned unexpected victories to turn Group H upside down but Japan were aided by playing against 10 men for 87 minutes and Senegal can confirm the view that theirs was the more impressive effort. Prediction: Senegal 2 Japan 1.

Sunday (ITV, 7pm). Colombia v Poland. Colombia 11/10; Draw 13/5; Poland 11/4 (Betfair Sportsbook). The pre-tournament group favourites made alarming gaffes in their opening games and the loser is pretty much on the flight home. However, neither side can be trusted to turn it around. Prediction: Colombia 1 Poland 1.