The next World Cup week starts with two of the favourites in action in the knockout Round of 32.
Revitalised Brazil under coach Carlos Ancelotti tackle Japan in a 6pm kick-off UK time at Houston Stadium. Both teams were unbeaten in the group phase, Brazil edging out Morocco for top spot in Group C on goal difference. Japan finished runners-up in Group F with one win and two draws,
The 9.30pm kick-off at Boston Stadium features Germany against Paraguay, who were among the best third-place finishers. Germany has four World Cup wins to its name and would match Brazil’s record five titles if they won the 2026 tournament. They qualified as winners of Group E but suffered a surprise defeat to Ecuador in their last game, which saw the South Americans progress to the knockout stage from third place.
Below we look ahead to both of today’s games with some selections from NetBet Sport’s wide range of World Cup odds.
*All odds are subject to change
Brazil vs Japan: Player Shots on Target Over 1.5 – Vinicius Junior @ 1.83
Vinicius Junior has stepped forward to become Brazil’s MVP at the 2026 World Cup. A 1-1 draw with Morocco was followed by comfortable 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland, with Vinicius scoring in all three games. He has four goals and an assist in the tournament so far and managed five shots on target against Scotland, as well as a couple more against Haiti. Japan are no pushovers though, having remained unbeaten in Group F. A creditable 2-2 draw with eventual group winners Netherlands was followed by a 4-0 thumping of Tunisia and a 1-1 draw with Sweden.
Brazil vs Japan: Outcome And Both To Score – Brazil And No @ 2.65
Brazil were facing the prospect of not qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in their history. Not only are they here, they are also back to their menacing best. Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha has weighed in with three goals and Brazil have extended their unbeaten run to six matches, five of which have been wins. Japan have kept six clean sheets in their last eight games, but Brazil have scored at least once in each of their last 11 matches, so this could prove to be a tight contest with Brazil having the edge.
Germany vs Paraguay: Anytime Goalscorer – Deniz Undav @ 2.16
There was a feeling that Germany were marching confidently towards another World Cup final, until Ecuador halted their run of 11 straight wins. That shock 2-1 defeat in their last group game was a wake-up call not to underestimate so-called weaker South American opponents. Germany scored 10 goals in their three group games with seven different scorers spread across the squad. The only player to score more than once was super sub Deniz Undav, who has hit three goals and also provided two assists. It is hard to see what more he needs to do to earn a place in the starting XI.
Germany vs Paraguay: Outcome And Both To Score – Germany And No @ 2.04
One of the damning stats around Germany’s defending is that they haven’t kept a clean sheet at the World Cup since the 2014 final, a run of nine straight matches. But more importance should be given to recent history. In their last eight games leading up to this tournament, Germany kept five clean sheets. Paraguay were ranked seventh among the eight-best third-place nations that progressed to the knockout stage. They recovered from a 4-1 defeat by USA to earn an impressive 1-0 win over Turkey with 10 men and chisel out 0-0 draw with Australia. But they have only scored more than one goal in one of their last six games.
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