World Cup 2014: Fixtures, Match Odds, Predictions, Latest Standings for Day 14
The 2014 World Cup is the gift that keeps on giving.
Tuesday's fixtures seemed a bit underwhelming at first glance, but we got another clinical, enjoyable performance from Colombia, an 81st-minute goal to propel Uruguay through to the next round and a 92nd-minute penalty to propel Greece through to the next round.
Oh yeah, and Luis Suarez seemingly bit someone else.
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Are there more auditions for the Vampire Diaries on the slate for Wednesday? Or will it "only" be another batch of thrilling matches with breathtaking finishes?
Let's take a look.
Updated Standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts. |
| Brazil | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Mexico | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Croatia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Cameroon | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -8 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 9 |
| Chile | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Spain | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| Australia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -6 | 0 |
| Colombia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 9 |
| Greece | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 4 |
| Ivory Coast | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Japan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 1 |
| Costa Rica | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| England | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| France | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Ecuador | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| Honduras | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| Argentina | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Nigeria | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Iran | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| Germany | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| United States | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Ghana | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| Portugal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -4 | 1 |
| Belgium | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Russia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| South Korea | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
Matchday 14 Fixtures and Predictions
| F | Nigeria vs. Argentina | 1 p.m. | Noon | 5 p.m. | Argentina, 3-1 |
| F | Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Iran | 1 p.m. | Noon | 5 p.m. | Iran, 1-0 |
| E | Honduras vs. Switzerland | 4 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 9 p.m. | Switzerland, 2-0 |
| E | Ecuador vs. France | 5 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 9 p.m. | France, 2-1 |
Matchday 14 Odds
| 15-2 | 3-1 | 10-21 |
| 1-1 | 11-4 | 5-2 |
| 15-2 | 18-5 | 2-5 |
| 4-1 | 31-10 | 20-31 |
Note: Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com
Argentina haven't been all that convincing, but they were better in the second half against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a formation change, while they crashed into Iran's bus in the second game.
Concerns about Albiceleste may be warranted, but this is still a very dangerous team up front. Angel Di Maria certainly isn't worried:
Nigeria are the only team at this World Cup yet to concede, and they can sit back and play for the draw but don't be surprised if this is the match Argentina get it figured out in the final third.
That would open the door for Iran, who must get three points.
The Princes of Persia are less talented than Bosnia and Herzegovina—well, they're less talented than most teams in Brazil—but that wasn't a problem during a brilliant effort against Argentina. They packed the middle, shut down passing lanes and used the counter-attack to create better scoring chances in the second half.
Against a team that is already eliminated and has looked flat for most of the last 180 minutes, I think Iran successfully deploy the same strategy, this time converting on the counter or a set piece.
No matter what happens, though, let's just hope this isn't the final result:
Things get very interesting in Group E.
France are clearly the class of the group. While they haven't mathematically secured the top spot, a plus-six goal differential makes it nearly impossible for them to be passed. As such, there's a chance Didier Deschamps rests some of his regular starting XI, making this a difficult one to predict.
What has been so special about France through two games, though, has been their versatility. Karim Benzema, Mathieu Valbuena, Blaise Matuidi, Olivier Giroud and others have all looked dangerous on the attack, and you can't forget about Paul Pogba, who has been relatively quiet.
Deschamps can't sit them all. The red-hot Blues will get three points.
Should that happen, Switzerland will only need a draw to advance. While they looked bad against France, this a team that is typically disciplined on defense but has also looked very adept moving forward.
Against pushovers Honduras, they'll get three points.
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