World Cup Opta Stats: USA to be felled by familiar foe

Asamoah Gyan has an exceptional record for Ghana

Opta's World Cup wisdom dictates that Germany will win their opener, Nigeria won't, and Asamoah Gyan will score...

Germany v Portugal
Monday, 17:00
Live on ITV

Match Odds: Germany 1.981/1, Portugal 4.3100/30, The Draw 3.7511/4

Die Mannschaft have opened their last six World Cups with a victory

Opta have several trends indicating that Germany will maintain their matchday-one winning streak. They have been beaten just once in 18 World Cup group games, whereas Portugal lost on both prior occasions that they faced a Group G rival in the competition (once to Germany and once to USA).

Additionally, Portugal have won only one of their last seven World Cup fixtures - and that was against North Korea four years ago. Similarly, they have triumphed in a mere two of their last six tournament openers, losing three, including their first encounter of Euro 2012 against Germany.

Recommended Bet: Back Germany to win @ 1.981/1

Iran v Nigeria
Monday, 20:00
Live on BBC One

Match Odds: Iran 4.77/2, Nigeria 1.9520/21, The Draw 3.55n/a

Nigeria are winless in eight World Cup games (D2 L6), the longest drought among the 32 participants

Iran are considered one of the weaker sides in Brazil, but this is their most winnable outing against a nation whose record at their last two World Cups (P6 W0 D2 L4) is worse than Iran's own (P6 W1 D1 L4). The Super Eagles finished bottom of a group containing South Korea and Greece in 2010.

Nigeria arrive in South American in uninspiring form, winless in four friendlies whereas Iran are on an undefeated run of the same length. The African Cup of Nations holders will also have to beware of their opponents' attacking potential after Carlos Queiroz's team top-scored in Asian qualifying.

Recommended Bet: Lay Nigeria to win @ 1.9620/21

Ghana v USA
Monday, 23:00
Live on BBC One

Match Odds: Ghana 2.56/4, USA 3.185/40, The Draw 3.55/2

Asamoah Gyan scored four and assisted two of Ghana's nine World Cup goals, netting the winner against USA in 2010

Gyan was one of the stars of the last World Cup and, though you might suspect that he hasn't been quite as effective since based on his hot-and-cold Sunderland stint and subsequent retreat to Al Ain, the statistics suggest that would be an erroneous conclusion.

Opta note that nobody outdid his tally of six goals in African qualifying, a process in which Ghana were the most prolific participants, while Gyan's career figures for the Black Stars are 40 strikes in 79 caps. USA have kept one clean sheet in their past five tries, so risk being punished by Gyan again.

Best Bet: Back Asamoah Gyan to score @ 3.1511/5