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At major tournaments since 1992, Russia are W2-D8-L6 and have scored in the first half in only four of those 16 matches. In all competitive games outside Russia since 2000, Russia are W9-D11-L9 at HT (scoring in the first half in just two of the last eight), with a W1-D4-L5 HT record against teams ranked in the top 30.

Greece have been level at HT in just over half of their competitive games outside Greece under Otto Rehhagel (W7-D13-L5), with a W3-D6-L3 HT record against teams ranked in the top 30. Their HT draw in their opening game against Sweden was their fourth in seven tournament games under Rehhagel (W1-D4-L2).

Russia's poor scoring record in the first half, coupled with Greece's figures, points towards a HT draw [2.08]. The foundation for most of Russia's wins outside their homeland is a first-half lead, which makes it a problem that they have struggled to score in the first half in recent games and overall at major tournaments. Eight of their 12 wins outside Russia since 2000 have been W-W, while at major tournaments since 1992 they have won both times they have led at HT. They have found it more difficult to convert HT draws into wins, doing so only once in eight attempts at major tournaments, with five D-L.

Given Greece's high rate of HT draws in competitive games outside Greece under Rehhagel, their most common HT/FT outcome has been D-W (7/25) and they have lost only two out of 13 when level at the break. Their opening defeat by Sweden was their first in four games when level at HT in major tournaments under Rehhagel (two D-W, one D-D).

If the scores are level at HT, Greece are the better team at converting that into points at the end of the game, which points to D-D [5.3] or the Greece D-W [8.6]. Greece have kept a clean sheet in 11/25 competitive games outside Greece under Rehhagel, with 6/12 against teams ranked in the top 30.

Russia have scored in 22/29 competitive games outside Russia since 2000, including 6/10 against teams ranked in the top 30.

Russia's scoring record is good, but Greece's figures indicate that the holders are a little short not to keep a clean sheet [1.47]. Russia have kept a clean sheet in 11/29 competitive games outside Russia since 2000, with 3/10 against teams ranked in the top 30. They have conceded in 14/16 outside their own country against teams with a higher ranking, including all seven on neutral territory.

Greece have scored in 20/25 competitive games outside Greece under Rehhagel (including 8/12 against teams ranked in the top 30) and their blank against Sweden was only their second in seven games at major tournaments under Rehhagel.

The figures indicate a better chance for Greece to score, with Russia not to keep a clean sheet [1.66] looking too big. SOS consider FIFA's rankings unreliable, as they are based upon criteria clearly weighted to favour countries playing in weaker regional areas. SOS have therefore developed their own system of international football rankings, to give a more accurate guide of teams' relative strengths - and provide a more valid basis for their analysis.

The SOS rankings are based on a sample universe of more than 25,000 international matches, are updated every month, and attach a much greater weighting to both the relative importance of matches (friendly, competitive, major tournament) - as well as the relative strength of opposition and overall match supremacy. Allowance is also made for the game venue, not just in terms of simple home, away or neutral - but also in relation to the country's home continent. Points gained decay over a period of four years, the natural cycle of international football.

For the full SOS Rankings, click here, where you can also view previews for all matches.

Euro 2008 bets , Euro 2008 betting , Greece football | -->Digg It

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