Well, we’ve all had 48 hours to reflect on the England game against Algeria, so lets see just where we are in comparison to the other top teams in this years World Cup.

In Group A , France have been this years Holland and imploded under the pressure, with unrest in the camp and Anelka sent home from his first World Cup for letting rip at Domenech. France are third in their group with 1 point and a -2 goal difference. The top 2 teams have 4 points each and have to play each other in the last game. A draw would see both Uruguay and Mexico go through. Even if there was a result in that game, France would have to beat South Africa and there would have to be a 5 goal swing in the results for Les Bleus go through. And that aint gonna happen.

Group B is Englands group, and despite all my biblical wailing and gnashing of teeth, we can still actually top the table. Maybe its lucky that we have to play the group leaders last as it means that destiny is in our hands. An England win against Algeria will give us 5 points, whilst a draw in the USA vs Algeria game will see both those sides eliminated and see Slovenia through in second place in the Group. You can get 4/9 on an England win at Bet365, Paddy Power, William Hill and 888sports, and you can get 5/2 on a USA/Slovenia draw with Hills, Paddys and Bet365.

In Group D, Germanys suprising loss against Serbia has no only left the group wide open, but oddly has opened up the possibility of the Germans not going through either, with them having to face group leaders Ghana in their last game, anything but a win would see them finish 3rd in the Group behind Serbia, who would top the Group with a win against Australia, which seems like a formality.

The other groups that could provide an upset are Group G, with Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in the same group, and Group H, where Spain are bottom of the group after their defeat to Switzerland. However as at the time of writing all the teams in both these groups had only played one game each, so there’s a long way to go yet before the table shapes up.

Anyway, onto todays games and we start with Slovakia vs Paraguay. All 4 teams in Group F drew their first game, although Paraguay got that result against Italy, whilst Slovakia did it against New Zealand. As such Paraguay are favourites for this match and the fact that Paraguay are used to playing at altitude should make for a Paraguay win.

Here’s a selection of the best bets for the game

Paraguay to win to nil – 17/10 with William Hill

Draw halftime/Paraguay full time – 4/1 with Hills, Paddy Power and Bet365

Mario Hamsik (Paraguay) to score at any time – 5/1 with Paddys and Bet365

Game 2 is Italy vs New Zealand. On paper its a mismatch. New Zealand achieved a draw in their opening game with a 93rd minute equaliser, but I cant see them even getting on the score sheet today. As such Italy are as short as 2/15 to win the game, which offers no value really. Bearing in mind that the Italians have kept a clean sheet in 7 out of their last 11 games, a win to nil bet could be where to put your money, but again its disagreeable odds. Italian striker Gillardo scored a brace when these sides met recently in a friendly.

Italy to win to nil – 11/20 with William Hill

Gillardo to score a hattrick – 16/1 with William Hill

Italy to win 3-0 – 13/2 with 888sports and Bet365

Italy to win 4-0 – 14/1 with Bet365

Todays final game is a cruncher – Brazil vs Ivory Coast. In a team that also contains Portugal and the surprisingly spirited North Koreans, anything less that a win for the Ivory Coast would make it very difficult for them to qualify. Whatever happens the Ivorians need to score today as goal difference could well decide this group. Didier Drogba is likely to start today and with be marked by Lucio, a player who managed to restrain Drogba in the Champions League. Whoever wins that battle will decide the outcome of this match.

A Brazil/Ivory Coast draw – 12/5 with William Hill and Bet365

Drogba to score at any time – 10/3 with William Hill

Ivory Coast win – 9/2 with Ladbrokes, William Hill, 888sports and Paddy Power

Penalty to be awarded to either side – 11/4 with William Hill

Remember, all the bookies are giving away free cash so check out these offers below

Paddy Power - £50 of free bets. Pick it up by clicking here

William Hill - £30 in free bets. Click here to visit their site

Ladbrokes – place a £5 bet and get another £25 of bets free. Click here to have a look at Ladbrokes

Bet365 – a massive £200 of free bets! Simply make your first deposit up to £200 and Bet365 will match your deposit. You know the drill – clicky clicky to visit the site

888sports – yes, the online casino giants have a sportsbook too, and to celebrate the world cup they are actually giving you a £20 NO LOSE bet. Simply click here to visit the site, sign up, and if your first bet loses then they will refund you £20.