BRAZIL were antepost favourites and they're still there at the top of the betting.
Tite's men are 4-1 with William Hill and have improved game by game.
That's the opposite of today's last-16 opponents Mexico who haven't reached the high of their opening win against Germany – although that result can now be put in perspective.
Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho have performed well and there are plenty of support acts in a side whose only change could be Filipe Luis for the injured Marcelo.
Mexico expected to be playing Switzerland but a 3-0 collapse against Sweden handed them a tougher tie and it looks like the end of the road.
Brazil have never lost to Mexico at the World Cup (three wins, one draw) or conceded a goal.
They are a best 1-2 at bet365 and 13-10 with Marathonbet to win to nil.
Neymar's looked fitter as the tournament's progressed and is 11-4 at William Hill to score first.
Coutinho is a good option at 11-2 with Unibet and for an anytime goal consider Paulinho, who netted against Serbia, at 10-3 with McBookie.
Most punters today will lump on a Brazil/Belgium double and it's the way to go at 11-10 with bet365.
The Belgians won all three group games and face a Japan side that's weakest survivors.
Belgium have netted three a game and are 7-4 at McBookie to score 3+.
Romelu Lukaku should return after missing the England game through injury but Michy Batshuayi is a decent back-up and the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne and are willing accessories.
Lukaku is 14-5 at William Hill to net first and a decent 10-11 at McBookie for anytime. But for the opener I'm backing penalty take Hazard at 9-2 with Unibet.
Recommended Bets
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- Hazard to score first
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Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Bookies got England 6-1 to win world cup and Uruguay 14-1.
Uruguay won all 4 conceding 1 goal.
England only beaten Tunisia and the dog and duck and conceded in all 3 games.
Maybe it’s the draw but odds seem odd to me.
Today I fancy a couple of 2-0 wins for Brazil and belguim with both leading at half time.
Mexico always go out at this stage and Brazil won’t go gung ho and leave themselves open to counter attacks. Once Brazil score I see Mexico struggling to force the game.
Its a quirk that Japan are here, a 3rd minute red card v Colombia and that farcical end to the Poland match left a sour taste in my mouth and I hope belguim Muller them.
Only chance Japan have is extra time and pens as the European teams seem to tread water late in games due to the heat, but hopefully belguim won’t let that happen.