Monday, February 7, 2011

International Opta Facts - Feb 8 - 9


Republic of Ireland v Wales

* Ireland have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight internationals at home.
* Robbie Keane has scored four goals in Ireland's last five games at the Aviva Stadium.
* Wales have lost five of their last six away internationals, winning the other (2-1 at Liechtenstein in October 2009).
* Overall, Wales have failed to score in four of their last six international

Northern Ireland v Scotland

* Scotland have won three of their last four internationals at home, losing only to World Champions Spain (2-3).
* Craig Levein's men have only picked up three wins from the last 10 overall, however, losing six of them.
* Northern Ireland have only won one of their last 14 internationals; a 1-0 win in Slovenia last September.
* Nigel Worthington's side have failed to score more than one goal in any of their last 15 internationals, failing to find the net in nine of them.

Denmark v England

* The last time these sides met, in August 2005, Denmark triumphed 4-1 in Copenhagen in one of only two occasions that England have conceded four or more goals since 1980.
* England have won just four of their 14 opening games in a calendar year since 1997, with all four of those victories coming at home. The Three Lions defeated Egypt 3-1 at Wembley in their first game of last year, after losing 0-2 to Spain in their 2009 opener.
* England have conceded exactly one goal in six of their last seven friendly internationals and haven't kept a clean sheet in a friendly since a 4-0 win in Slovakia in March 2009.
* Denmark have won their last two meetings with the Three Lions, both in friendly internationals.
* Despite ending on the losing side on both occasions, Wayne Rooney has found the net in both of his previous international appearances against Denmark.
* Denmark have only lost one of their five internationals since being eliminated from the 2010 World Cup, winning two and drawing two.
* Frank Lampard looks set to captain England for the first time. Of the last six players to captain England, four have lost their opening match.