World Cup 2014 11am Bulletin: Algeria are nearly there

Algeria may only need to draw with Russia to reach the last 16

The weekend showed that very few of the underdogs are out of their depth, and entertainment lurks everywhere...

The last few days of World Cup action have done a sterling job of discouraging football snobbery, with Honduras v Ecuador, Argentina v Iran and South Korea v Algeria contests that weren't too enthusiastically received in the build-up drastically outperforming expectations.

Sunday's showdown between South Korea and Algeria in particular was evidence that while their quality levels might not be on a par with the frontrunners, they are every bit as entertaining. In fact, the lack of defensive class on display contributed to a thoroughly enjoyable 4-2 Algeria win.

The result was also a treat for followers of this column's advice on Wednesday to back the Desert Foxes to qualify from Group H at 6.0, as their new price of 1.9520/21 creates a Cash Out window. As a draw with Russia should see them through, you might be happy riding the wager out though.

The other valuable lesson of the weekend is that the gap between the favourites and the less-fancied nations is a lot thinner than most suspected.

Iran didn't just lock Argentina out before succumbing to late Lionel Messi sorcery, they created the better chances. Ghana outplayed Germany for much of their second half, Russia outshone Belgium only to be undermined by lack of end product and USA were more than a match for a poor Portugal.

Indeed, with Spain and England out, Brazil and Argentina yet to convince, Italy and Uruguay beaten by Costa Rica and France flattered by Honduras' early sending off and some dire Switzerland defending, you can understand why a first time winner is a 3.55n/a prospect having once been 7.0.

Mexico, Netherlands, Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica were very impressive in their first two outings, claiming a combined 28 points out of 30, and Belgium are also six from six without excelling.

The loose ends in Groups A and B will be tied up on Monday. In Group B, Chile face Netherlands needing to defeat them to snatch top spot, and Spain must beat Australia to avoid warranting "I came to Brazil as a world champion and all I got was this lousy wooden spoon" souvenir shirts.

Tobias Gourlay fancies a play on Chile draw no bet in the former fixture, while trusting Spain to keep a clean sheet against the Tim Cahill-shorn Socceroos.

In Group A, Brazil require a point against eliminated Cameroon to guarantee progress, and if they do as expected, Croatia will have to conquer Mexico to leapfrog the North Americans and join the hosts in the last 16.

Lewis Jones views the scorecast market as the way to play Cameroon v Brazil, whereas Ivan Perisic is his key to unlocking Croatia v Mexico profit.