Opta Stats: England to come out on top in Poland

Roy Hodgson's England are 10 unbeaten excluding shootouts

Christian Crowther uses the Opta stats to predict joy for England and Republic of Ireland but defeats for the rest of the home nations...

Faroe Islands v Republic of Ireland (Tuesday, 19:00)
The Irish have conceded just one goal on the road in their last eight games combined
Despite shipping six of the best to a rampant German side in Dublin, this stat suggests that Giovanni Trapattoni's side are usually far stingier when it comes to letting the other side score. After Friday's embarrassment, Trapattoni will expect a huge response in defensive standards. The Faroe Islands did worry a below-par Sweden on Friday by going 1-0 in front though that was just the second time in six matches in which they troubled the scoresheet.

Croatia v Wales (Tuesday, 19:30, Sky Sports 2)
On the road, Wales have lost six of their last seven in all competitions, winning the other 1-0 in Bulgaria back in October 2011
Wales' away form is woeful in recent times and their task in Croatia will be made all the harder by the absence of Aaron Ramsey. Croatia are unbeaten in this group and especially dangerous at home where they have won seven of their last ten and drawn three since England beat them back in 2008. Interestingly, three out of Croatia's last four games have seen more goals in the first half and Wales have conceded in the first period in their last six consecutive matches.

Belgium v Scotland (Tuesday, 19:45, ESPN)
Craig Levein's side have netted exactly one goal in five of their last six games on the road
Scotland's stuttering campaign hit the buffers against Wales and now they face a mammoth task if they are to get anywhere near the play-off places for Brazil. A dearth of goals is partly to blame for the Scots' lack of points and it won't get any easier in Belgium where they have not won since 1951. Conversely, the Belgians have scored at least two goals in three out of their last four.

Portugal v Northern Ireland (Tuesday, 19:45, Sky Sports 1)
Portugal have kept six consecutive clean sheets in home World Cup qualifiers
Northern Ireland are on a desperate run of no wins in nine games - losing seven - which doesn't look like being arrested in Porto. As this stat suggests, Portugal are ruthless at home in World Cup qualifiers, as Azerbaijan found out last month when they succumbed 3-0. Northern Ireland have only registered once in their last five away games too.

Poland v England (Tuesday, 20:00, ITV 1)
England are unbeaten in 14 games against Poland, winning nine and drawing five
England did what they had to do against San Marino and, although they face a much tougher examination in Poland, their record against them is favourable as this stat suggests. The Three Lions are now unbeaten in their last 15 competitive internationals - excluding shootouts - and in Roy Hodgson they have the first manager to reach 10 games without losing since Graham Taylor. Poland are also without their influential skipper Jakub Blaszczykowski through injury.

Recommended Bets: Back Republic of Ireland to win to nil away to Faroe Islands @ 1.814/5
Back the first half to feature more goals in Croatia v Wales @ 2.6413/8
Back Belgium to beat Scotland 3-1 @ 14.5n/a
Back Portugal to beat Northern Ireland 3-0 @ 6.611/2
Back England to win away to Poland @ 1.991/1