Sign up to our free newsletter for the top North Wales stories sent straight to your e-mail Sign up now! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

World-renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking has taken a swipe at “ballerina” Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after producing a formula to guarantee England World Cup success in Brazil.

The scientist, whose book A Brief History Of Time was a best-seller, analysed data from every tournament since 1966 – and the bad news is he reckons the heat, the altitude and the distance from home could all scupper England’s chances.

But he thinks prospects for Roy Hodgson’s men will be improved if they get a European referee for their group stage match with Uruguay and their mercurial Liverpool striker Suarez because he reckons match officials from the northern hemisphere will be less sympathetic to his on-pitch dramatics.

Prof Hawking has also come up with “a formula for the perfect penalty” – because “as we say in science, England couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo”.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Setting out his analysis, which was commissioned by bookmakers Paddy Power, Prof Hawking said: “Ever since the dawn of civilisation, people have not been content to see events as unconnected and inexplicable. They have craved an understanding of the underlying order in the world.

“The World Cup is no different.”

Prof Hawking said England’s chances of success could be worked out by examining “environmental, physiological, psychological, political and tactical variables”.

He said: “Statistically England’s red kit is more successful and we should play 4-3-3 rather than 4-4-2. Psychologists in Germany found red makes teams feel more confident and can lead them to being perceived as more aggressive and dominant.

“Likewise, 4-3-3 is more positive so the team benefits for similar psychological reasons.

“The data shows we also need to hope for a European referee. European referees are more sympathetic to the English game and less sympathetic to ballerinas like (Luis) Suarez.

“Like all animals, the England team are creatures of habit.

“Being closer to home reduces the negative impact of cultural differences and jetlag. We do better in temperate climates, at low altitudes with kick-off as close to the normal three o’clock as possible.

“The impact of environmental factors alone is quite staggering. A 5C rise in temperature reduces our chances of winning by 59%. We are twice as likely to win when playing below 500 metres above sea level. And our chances of winning improve by a third when kicking off at three o’clock local time.”

Prof Hawking also outlined his formula for taking penalties.

He said the key to success was a run-up of more than three steps and giving the ball “some welly”, but “velocity is nothing without placement”.

He said: “If only I had whispered this in Chris Waddle’s ear before he sent the ball into orbit in 1990. Use the side foot rather than laces and you are 10% more likely to score.

“The statistics confirm the obvious. Place the ball in the top left or right hand corner for the best chance of success – 84% of penalties in those areas score. The ability of strikers to place the ball results in them being more likely to score than midfielders and defenders.

“There is no evidence that it’s advantageous to be left or right-footed but bald players and fair-haired players are more likely to score.

“The reason for this is unclear. This will remain one of science’s great mysteries.”

Paddy Power said: “The modern game is so full of statistical analysis that for us it was a no brainer to call on Professor Hawking to give England some help. Let’s hope that Roy Hodgson takes note of the findings to give England the best possible chance of getting all the way to the final.

“It’s not too late for Roy to add the professor to his backroom staff. Imagine the professor’s half-time speech in the dressing should England find themselves trailing Italy.”