World Cup 2014: The Opta scoring stats that could pave a way to profit

Do the Opta goal stats point to a 0-0 in Italy v England

Opta provide some fascinating goal stats featuring eight of the World Cup's biggest nations, and our man Mike Norman has linked some of them to a possible wager for you to consider...

Brazil - (World Cup Winner odds 4.216/5, Group Winner odds 1.222/9)

The most common scoreline for Brazil at World Cup finals has been a 1-0 win (12). They are 6.411/2 to beat Croatia 1-0 in Thursday's curtain raiser

They have kept a clean sheet in 42 of their previous 97 World Cup finals games (43%).

59 of Brazil's previous 97 World Cup games have seen over 2.5 goals (61%), including six of their last eight matches. Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at 2.111/10 v Croatia

Brazil have only ever failed to score in 13 of their 97 World Cup matches.

Brazil have scored in 24 of their last 25 group stage matches at World Cup finals. They can be backed at 1.715/7 to score Over 6.5 Group Goals

Argentina - (WC odds 5.59/2, Group odds 1.251/4)

Only five of Argentina's previous 70 World Cup games have ended 0-0 (7%) - only one of which has come in a knockout tie. The 0-0 Correct Score between Argentina and Bosnia on Sunday can be backed at 14.013/1

Six of Argentina's last 10 World Cup games have seen over 2.5 goals scored (60%). The same outcome is available to back at 1.9210/11 against Bosnia

Argentina have averaged 1.18 goals in their knockout matches since the start of the 1990 World Cup, compared to 2.0 in the group stages over this period.

They have conceded just an average of 0.5 goals per game in group matches since 1990, much lower than their average of 1.45 goals conceded per game in knockout ties over this period. You can back Argentina to concede Under 1.5 Group Goals at 2.3211/8

Spain - (WC odds 7.413/2, Group odds 1.748/11)

18 of Spain's 56 World Cup matches have seen under 1.5 goals scored (32%), including six of their last nine matches. Under 1.5 Goals can be backed at 2.767/4 in Spain's opening game with Netherlands

Spain have scored in all but one of their last 12 WC knockout matches, but have only scored more than once in two of these games.

Spain have both scored and conceded a goal in seven of their last 10 WC group stage matches, (70%). They can be backed at 2.68/5 to concede Over 2.5 Group Goals

There have been just 10 goals scored in the last seven knockout matches involving Spain.

Germany - (WC odds 8.27/1, Group odds 1.738/11)

Germany have kept a clean sheet in 11 of their 21 World Cup games since the start of 2002 (52%).

56% of their 99 previous World Cup finals matches have seen over 2.5 goals (56 of 99), including five of their last eight games. Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at 2.3411/8 in Germany v Portugal on Monday

No side have won more World Cup games 1-0 than Germany.

Germany have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last 10 World Cup group stage games. A Germany Clean Sheet can be backed at 2.89/5 v Portugal

Germany are one of only four sides in WC history to have averaged two goals a game or more in finals tournaments (2.1). Germany are 2.245/4 to score Over 6.5 Group Goals

France - (WC odds 26.025/1, Group odds 1.875/6)

Just four of France's previous 54 World Cup matches have ended goalless (7%), the last three of which have come in the group stages. They are 11.010/1 to draw 0-0 with Honduras on Sunday

Seven of France's 25 World Cup wins have seen them score three goals (28%).

Just 13 of France's 54 World Cup games have seen under 1.5 goals scored (24%). France are 1.715/7 to score Over 4.5 Group Goals

11 of their 18 World Cup losses have been by a one goal margin (61%).

Italy - (WC odds 28.027/1, Group odds 2.8615/8)

Italy have drawn 21 games at World Cup games (26%) - more than any other nation. 15 of these 21 draws have come in the round one group stages. They are 3.185/40 to draw with England on Saturday

Of Italy's 44 wins in World Cup finals, 24 have been by a one goal margin (55%).

The most common result for Italy in World Cup finals has been a 1-1 draw (13). Three of Italy's last four World Cup matches have ended 1-1. The 1-1 Correct Score is Italy v England can be backed at 7.06/1

Of Italy's 15 defeats in World Cup finals, 11 have been by a one goal margin (73%).

Italy have scored in every one of their last 14 World Cup group stage games. They can be backed at 2.35/4 to score Over 4.5 Group Goals

England - (WC odds 29.028/1, Group odds 3.412/5)

England have played out 10 0-0 draws at World Cup finals; more than any other side (17%). They are 7.06/1 to draw 0-0 with Italy on Saturday

England have kept a clean sheet in 53% of their World Cup matches; the highest ratio of all 2014 finalists.

Of teams at the 2014 finals, only Croatia (0.85) have a lower goals conceded per game ratio in finals tournaments than England (0.88). The Three Lions can be backed at 2.427/5 to concede Under 2.5 Group Goals

Just two of England's last 15 group stage matches since the start of 1990 have gone over 2.5 goals (13%). Under 2.5 Goals is 1.511/2 to back in England v Italy

11 of England's 14 World Cup finals defeats have come by one goal margins (79%).

21 of England's 26 World Cup victories have also seen them keep a clean sheet (81%).

Netherlands - (WC odds 42.041/1, Group odds 4.67/2)

The Netherlands' most common result in World Cup finals is a 2-1 win. They've won nine of their 43 WC matches by this scoreline (21%). They are 23.022/1 to win 2-1 against Spain on Saturday

33 of the Netherlands' 43 World Cup matches have gone over 1.5 goals (77%).

The Netherlands have kept a clean sheet in six of their last nine group stage matches. They can be backed at 1.68/13 to concede Under 3.5 Group Goals

Over half (25 - 58%) of their matches have seen over 2.5 goals. Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at 2.6613/8 in Spain v Netherlands