Soccer best bets for Tue. 7/2: Brazil's last dance and an Austria-Turkey match centuries in the making

Here's what's on the docket for a blowout Tuesday in both competitions:

Romania vs. the Netherlands, 12 p.m. ET — This should not be a difficult match to call: the Dutch are capable of smushing the Romanians like caramel inside a stroopwaffel. But the Dutch are also capable of eye-widening profligacy in front of goal, and the Romanians are all too happy to take advantage of that sort of thing. Just ask Belgium. It found itself on the wrong end of a 1-0 highway robbery in the group stage after Romania made it pay for its wastefulness in the final third. We love a good upset and would be happy to see Romania nick this, but it'd be a shame to wave goodbye to the Oranje...if only because we've come to enjoy watching 40,000 Dutch fans bounce around German city centers to the dulcet tones of Snollebollekes.

Austria vs. Turkey, 3 p.m. ET — This is our pick for match of the day: two young, hungry, underrated sides with plenty of political history fueling their encounter. Scholars of European history will remember that Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire fought fiercely for control of the Balkan Peninsula between the 16th and 18th centuries. (Sure, that was a long time ago ... but in Europe the 18th Century is basically last Tuesday.) We're big fans of Ralf Rangnick's Austria around these parts and would love to see it progress, but Türkiye is capable of mounting one hell of a challenge.

Brazil vs. Colombia, 8 p.m. ET —  This is the obvious headliner of the day, but the historical tensions (and the presence of Marcel Sabitzer, our favorite midfielder of the moment) of Austria-Turkey bump it out of our No. 1 spot. Brazil is fighting for its life in this match; if it loses, and Costa Rica pulls off its expected win over Paraguay, it'll be out of the Copa before the knockout rounds even begin. Colombia can likely smell blood in the water and will be champing at the bit to humiliate its South American rival.

Costa Rica vs. Paraguay, 8 p.m. ET — Paraguay is already eliminated from the Copa and is solely playing for pride in this one. Costa Rica, as noted above, could clinch a knockout berth here if Brazil can't get things done against Colombia. Either way, keep an eye on Costa Rican goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira: he's the heir to Keylor Navas's goalkeeping gloves and he looks to be something special.

Where are the best bets in all this? We think they're here:

Dutch tackles from unexpected places. The Netherlands are known for their hard-nosed defenders like Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake, but one of their best tacklers has been someone you wouldn't expect: Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. He attempted more tackles than any Dutch player in their last two group stage games and the odds haven't quite caught up with that. We're backing him to execute at least two tackles at +100.

Austria and Turkey going hell for leather. Both of these teams are thrilled to be in the knockout rounds; both will take a look at yesterday's plodding, depressing games and see an opportunity to create a headline if they play well. We're backing an Austria win in the end here, but we think it'll be an Austria win with at least one Turkey goal at +300.

Rodrygo's moment in the sun. Brazil's Copa America has been a quiet, forgettable affair, but Rodrygo has been one of its few bright spots. He got off a whopping six shots in Game Two against Costa Rica and often felt like the only Selecao player who was actually trying to win. Rodrygo knows how to turn up in big moments; we're backing him to score or assist against Colombia at +130.