Mexico vs. Netherlands betting odds, prediction, World Cup preview

Netherlands will look to remain perfect at Brazil 2014 when they take to the pitch against Mexico in round of 16 action.

The Oranje are -190 favorites to advance beyond Sunday’s match to the quarterfinal, continuing their march towards a second straight appearance in the World Cup final game.

It will be the fifth all-time meeting between the squads and the first time they have faced each other in the World Cup since 1998; a group stage match that ended in a 2-2 draw.

As expected, the Aztecs enter the match as +150 underdogs to advance to the next round. But despite the odds stacked against them, the Mexicans should not be taken lightly.

[ Which teams are currently favored to win it all at World Cup 2014? See the latest future odds updates courtesy of Odds Shark ]

Mexico limped into the World Cup tournament mired in a slump that saw them win just two games in World Cup qualifying in 2013, before earning their tournament berth in a playoff against New Zealand.

But after starting the tournament as 9/1 underdogs in Group A, and 100/1 long shots in World Cup futures wagering, the Aztecs have righted the ship, going undefeated in the group stage, including a scoreless draw against Brazil.

Despite their outstanding play in the group stage, Mexico remain a 10/1 long shot to reach the final and 25/1 in futures betting to win their first World Cup title.

Betting prediction: OVER 2.5 goals, Dutch to win

Sunday’s other round of 16 match pits this year’s World Cup sensations, Costa Rica, against Greece. The Ticos will enter the match as favorites for the first time in the tournament, with odds of -140 to advance to the quarterfinal, while Greece are close underdogs with odds of +110.

Costa Rica grabbed the attention of the soccer world when they went undefeated in the group stage, finishing first in Group D. Their success was particularly astounding given the strength and experience of their Group D foes, all previous World Cup champions.

Despite long odds of 50/1 to finish atop their group, Costa Rica defeated Uruguay and Italy and tied England to capture first place. The Ticos remain a futures wagering longshot however, with odds of 40/1 to pull off a World Cup miracle.

Greece meanwhile, has emerged as a World Cup sleeper after outlasting Ivory Coast and Japan in the group stage, but remain tournament longshots with World Cup odds of 100/1 in futures wagering.

Prediction: 1-0 Costa Rica