World Cup Opta Stats: Portugal's problems to continue

Cristiano Ronaldo surely won't be fully fit even if he starts

Michael Lintorn has studied the Opta stats and been tempted into pro-Belgium and USA punts, and an unders bet in Porto Alegre...

Belgium v Russia
Sunday, 17:00
Live on BBC One

Match Odds: Belgium 1.981/1, Russia 4.47/2, The Draw 3.65n/a

The last eight goals that Russia have scored in World Cup finals matches have come after half-time

Belgium made a slow start to their Group H opener against Algeria, trailing 0-1 at the interval and waiting until the 70th minute to commence their comeback. That was the exception to their usual pattern though, with Marc Wilmots' side ahead at half time in six of their ten qualifiers.

Russia by contrast haven't fired a first-half goal in a World Cup encounter since Oleg Salenko's memorable five-strike show against Cameroon in 1994, with each of their four successful efforts in the competition this century arriving in the 52nd minute or later.

Recommended Bet: Back Belgium to lead at half time @ 2.89/5

South Korea v Algeria
Sunday, 20:00
Live on ITV

Match Odds: South Korea 2.466/4, Algeria 3.259/4, The Draw 3.412/5

Algeria have scored just two goals in their last 11 hours and 25 minutes of World Cup football

This World Cup has been an incessant over-2.5-goals backer's dream, with 20 of the first 29 fixtures delivering three goals or more, but neither of these teams appear to possess the attacking weapons to add to the overs tally.

Algeria's goal against Belgium in their curtain-raising Group H outing was their first in six World Cup ties, and even that was converted from the penalty spot. South Korea aren't prolific either, netting three times in eight games, with an Igor Akinfeev error the reason that they notched against Russia.

Recommended Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.748/11

USA v Portugal
Sunday, 23:00
Live on BBC One

Match Odds: USA 5.39/2, Portugal 1.758/11, The Draw 4.1n/a

Portugal have only won one of their last eight World Cup games, drawing three and losing four

Though the latest gossip is that Cristiano Ronaldo will play despite injury concerns, the power is in USA's hands in Manaus. Portugal trail Ghana (by one point) and USA (by three) with a far inferior goal difference after losing 0-4 to Germany, so almost certainly require victory, whereas the Stars and Stripes wouldn't be too hindered by a draw.

Winning at the World Cup is far from a Portugal speciality, with North Korea their sole 90-minute victims since conquering the Netherlands in 2006's round-of-16. Meanwhile, Opta note that USA, who have won four matches in a row, triumphed on the last two occasions that the nations collided.

Best Bet: Lay Portugal to win @ 1.768/11