World Cup Opta Stats: Belgium and Algeria to deliver

A point is likely to be enough to see Algeria into the last 16

The Opta trends for Group H's swansong point to Belgium and Algeria earning the right to celebrate...

South Korea v Belgium
Thursday, 21:00
Live on ITV

Match Odds: South Korea 4.84/1, Belgium 1.8810/11, The Draw 3.7511/4

South Korea have never beaten Belgium (D1 L2)

Belgium are deliciously close to evens to overcome South Korea despite triumphing in their first two Group H contests while South Korea cashed in on an Igor Akinfeev error for a 1-1 draw with Russia then were picked apart 2-4 by Algeria. Opta note that the outsiders have won just one of their last seven World Cup group ties, conceding 11 in the last four, whereas Belgium are undefeated in eight.

Recommended Bet: Back Belgium to win @ 1.8810/11

Belgium's last five World Cup goals have come in the final 20 minutes of matches

There hasn't been a single game in Group H with more goals in the first half. The overall breakdown settles 4-8 in favour of the second half, with each of the four exceptions scored by Algeria. Opta also reveal that 23 of South Korea's 31 World Cup goals have come after half-time (24 if you include one extra-time goal), so all the ingredients are in place for another action-packed final 45 minutes.

Recommended Bet: Back the second half to have the most goals @ 2.111/10

Algeria v Russia
Thursday, 21:00
Live on ITV4

Match Odds: Algeria 3.953/1, Russia 2.0421/20, The Draw 3.814/5

Russia are without a win in four World Cup group games (D1 L3)

If the odds were based solely on World Cup 2014 performance so far, Russia wouldn't be favourites. They were abject in a 1-1 draw with South Korea before an improved display against Belgium in which they still created little. By contrast, Algeria led Belgium before being toppled late on, then claimed a 4-2 victory over South Korea. As a result, a point with Russia should be enough to secure qualification.

Best Bet: Lay Russia to win @ 2.0421/20

The last eight World Cup goals conceded by Algeria have come after half-time

The significance of this statistic is heightened by the frequency with which Algeria score first-half goals. Four of their five goals to date have come in the 38th minute or earlier, whereas nobody else in the group has struck before diving into the half-time oranges. The Fennec Foxes have been breached only twice in their previous ten first halves, leading at that juncture in four of their most recent five.

Recommended Bet: Back Algeria to lead at half time @ 5.04/1