World Cup Opta Stats: Brazil and Uruguay to turn it on

Neymar already has two braces to his name at this World Cup

The round-of-16 starts with two all-South American showdowns. Opta's stats offer encouragement to Brazil and Uruguay backers...

Brazil v Chile
Saturday, 17:00
Live on BBC One

Match Odds: Brazil 1.584/7, Chile 6.86/1, The Draw 4.57/2

Brazil have scored two or more goals in each of their last nine matches against Chile

Opta go on to note that Brazil netted 32 times over the course of those contests, a prolificacy that averages out at an enormous 3.6 goals per outing. Without truly touching upon their full attacking potential so far, the hosts have already scored seven times, with Neymar averaging over a strike a game on his own. In total, the Selecao have fired twice or more in ten of their last 12 fixtures.

Best Bet: Back Brazil to score two or more goals @ 1.75/7

Brazil have won their last five second-round matches at the World Cup, scoring 13 and keeping four clean sheets

Whereas Group A buddies Mexico shrink at the sight of the round-of-16, Brazil see it as showtime, the moment that they truly arrive at a tournament. Chile are more akin to Mexico, saying goodbye at this stage of their last two World Cups - both times to Brazil - exiting with a 0-3 defeat at this point in 2010. Opta impart that Chile have lost all three World Cup clashes with the five-time champions.

Recommended Bet: Back Brazil to keep a clean sheet @ 2.466/4

Colombia v Uruguay
Saturday, 21:00
Live on ITV

Match Odds: Colombia 2.021/1, Uruguay 4.3100/30, The Draw 3.55n/a

Uruguay have won six of their last eight encounters with Colombia

Most will conclude that it's a case of "no Luis Suarez, no hope" for Uruguay, who lost their opener to Costa Rica without the hungry forward then beat England and Italy with him. However, they have a great head-to-head record against Colombia (who have never passed this round of the World Cup), which gains added significance as the aforementioned eight collisions all occurred in the last decade.

Recommended Bet: Back Uruguay to win @ 4.3100/30

The last nine Colombia v Uruguay encounters have produced 32 goals; an average of 3.6 per game

Suarez's absence is impacting on the over/under 2.5 goals market too, pushing the overs price way beyond the evens mark, but this match still puts James "goal-a-game" Rodriguez, Edinson Cavani and Juan Cuadrado among many others on the Maracana pitch together. Each of Colombia's Group C ties bulldozed through the 2.5-barrier, as did two of Uruguay's fixtures in the more serene Group D.

Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals @ 2.3611/8