Tuesday World Cup Odds: Brazil vs. Mexico and Group H joins the action

The final four teams will see their first action at World Cup 2014 Tuesday, while the hosts are set to play their second contest.

In Group H, group favorites Belgium are heavy chalk against Algeria, while Russia tangles with a tough South Korea side. Brazil faces Mexico as the second matches in Group A also kick off. All three games feature big underdogs trying to pull upsets.

Group H: Belgium vs. Algeria, 12 p.m. ET

Belgium is a -250 favorite to beat Algeria (+750) on Tuesday with draw odds going off at +375 at most betting shops tracked by OddsShark.com. On the two-way line, Belgium is a -1.0 favorite at -150 over Algeria at +1.0, +125. The total is set at 2.5 goals.

Belgium is the favorite to win Group H, going off at -175 to do so, while Algeria is expected to finish at the bottom of the group and is a +2200 long shot to win it, according to WorldCupOdds.net. As a result, this isn't a particularly compelling matchup on paper as Belgium is expected to earn the three points.

But while three points are the same regardless of how pretty or ugly the game is, Belgium would love to start this World Cup off on the right foot with a clean, decisive win. Many bettors like Belgium to make a deep run in the knockout stage, and this game will give Belgium the chance to give some early credence to those opinions.

Group A: Brazil vs. Mexico, 3 p.m. ET

Brazil is once again an overwhelming favorite playing in front of its home crowd, going off at -350 to win the game. Mexico will be looking for an outright upset at +800 or to force a draw at +500.

The total is currently at 2.5 with the Over heavily favored at -170 over the Under (+140).

Both of these teams looked sharp in their opening games. Brazil got off to a slow start against Croatia falling behind 1-0 early on an own goal, but turned it on in the second half to win 3-1. Mexico's 1-0 win over Cameroon could have been much more decisive if not for two goals being wrongfully disallowed for offside. 

From a talent perspective, this is Brazil's game to lose. Mexico played very well in its World Cup opener, but a game against Cameroon is a far cry from a game against the host nation.

Group H: Russia vs. South Korea, 6 p.m. ET

Russia is a -110 favorite to win the game going up against South Korea. Bettors can bet South Korea at +300 to win the game, the draw at +260, or combine those two results with South Korea +0.5 at -110. The total for the game is two goals.

Most experts project Belgium and Russia advancing out Group H, but South Korea is the dark horse in the mix. While Russia has the talent edge on the pitch, both of these teams play a sound technical game, and a South Korea upset isn't out of the question if Russia doesn't bring its A-Game.

Russia, which is without injured captain Roman Shirokov, played well leading up to the World Cup, and should be able to produce offense and a favorable result with its best effort.