THE World Cup last 16 matches continue over Monday and Tuesday and with the likes of Germany and Spain failing to reach the quarter-finals opportunities are arising for a less heralded country to shine.

Brazil v Mexico (ITV, today, Monday 3pm). Prices: Brazil 1/2; Draw 7/2; Mexico 15/2 (Bet365). Brazil have been efficient rather than spectacular so far but with their fancied rivals falling down like ninepins, just being in the tournament is sufficient to see them heading the outright markets. The Mexicans have the capability of making life difficult but the South Americans are fancied to progress. Prediction: Brazil 2 Mexico 1.

Belgium v Japan (BBC1, today, Monday 7pm). Prices: Belgium 2/5; Draw 4/1 Japan 10/1 (Betfair Sportsbook). Belgium have had two easy games and a reserve match with England so far; the problems will arise after this round when the opponents’ skill-set rises markedly. However, an easy win beckons against the Japanese who have been somewhat fortunate to get this far. Prediction: Belgium 3 Japan 0.    

Sweden v Switzerland (BBC1, Tuesday 3pm). Prices: Sweden 21/10; Draw 2/1; Switzerland 7/4. The layers expect this one to be very close and there is no temptation to disagree with them. The Swiss have been the marginally more consistent of the two and are fancied to edge a dour contest. Prediction: Sweden 0 Switzerland 1.

England v Colombia (ITV, Tuesday 7pm). Prices: England 11/10; Draw 23/10; Colombia 13/4 (Unibet). When the English begin to dream of glory is usually the time when the wheels fall off but if James Rodriguez fails to start for the South Americans, England will be at a considerable advantage. Even if the Bayern Munich star is fit enough to play, as long as England have not lost momentum after resting many players in their defeat to Belgium they look the likelier to perform at their potential. Prediction: England 2 Colombia 1.

Wimbledon starts this week and with the late withdrawal of Andy Murray, the revised men's outright market is as follows; Roger Federer 15/8 (Coral/Betfred); Novak Djokovic 11/2; Marin Cilic 7/1; Rafael Nadal 15/2 (Betfred); Juan Martin Del Potro 16/1; Nick Krygios and Alexander Zverev 20/1;  Milos Raonic 28/1 and further down the list Kyle Edmund 100/1.

The ladies' outright market is wide open; Petra Kvitova leads the way at 5/1 (Ladbrokes); Serena Williams is 6/1; Garbine Muguruza 9/1; Angelique Kerber 12/1; Simona Halep 14/1; while Caroline Wozniacki is among a group at 20/1. Johanna Konta is a 40/1 shot.

The usual player to win each quarter, name the finalists and competitor achieving the most aces are available but Skybet have taken it a step further with a number of ‘targets’ priced up to keep the tennis enthusiast interested in the outcome of every Mens match.  

For instance: total double faults are 950 or more at even money; 65 or more straight set victories 11/10 and 100 or more tiebreaks 2/1.