NIGERIA
This match, Nigeria vs. Iceland also has the ability to decide the fate of Argentina. This West African team has the ability to do well with its warehouse of talents. Nigeria came into the world cup as a team with very unpredictable history in terms of consistency.
Interestingly they did beat Argentina in a very pulsating friendly way back in November which ended 4-2. Only to lose to morocco in February, their world cup opening game performance was far from impressive.
The opening game against a Croatian side propelled by Luka Modric did go as many predicted. Nigeria did put a very poor performance conceding two goals, one in each half.
The first was an own goal which demoralized the team. Coming into the second half a careless tugging by the Nigerian defender saw the referee point to the spot. Modric made the most of the opportunity to see his team runaway with three points.
The Nigerians would be hoping to put up a much improved performance against Iceland as the world watches on. And with Argentina’s loss to group leaders they find themselves in a position to decide if they make it through or not.
ICELAND
Iceland on the other hand has shown that they aren’t a fluke in this tournament. They surprised the world by get a ticket through the group stages and defeated the three lions later on. They kept an impressive record by staying top of their qualifying group and getting a well deserved draw in their first game.
Clearly the underdogs in a game against South American giants Argentina, they went a goal down early on. Pulling one back almost immediately, the team with just a very little population did give the Argentine team no breathing space. They were able to keep Argentina quiet and that earned them a well deserved point.
With the recent shape of things they go into this game with a new burst of confidence and hope. Statistics show that in six major tournaments Iceland have lost just once. They also have won 14, drawn 7 and lost just five times in 26 competitive games. Meanwhile their African opponents have lost four out of five recent games.
EXPECTATIONS
With the way things are looking at the top of group D, with Iceland picking that very essential draw against Argentina. The game looks quite open with both teams needing points from it. We have seen fewer than 3 goals in Iceland’s games. Five out of six competitive games have ending in low score lines. An under 2.5 pick won’t be a bad selection for this fixture.
This Iceland team doesn’t boast of many big names but one of them needs no intro.
Gylfi Sigurdsson who marshals their midfield is also their goal machine, scoring 19 goals in 58games. This man is quite dangerous with set pieces too and with stats showing that Nigeria committed 16fouls against the Croatian team, he sure would fancy his chances of getting on the score sheet
PREDICTED LINEUP
NIGERIA
Uzoho, Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Idowu, Ndidi, Etebo, Iwobi, Mikel, Moses, Ighalo.
ICELAND
Halldorsson, Saevarsson, Arnason, Sigurdsson, Magnusson, Gudmungsson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Bjarnason, Sigurdsson, Finnbogason
HEAD TO HEAD
A friendly played way back in 1981 was the only time these two nations met. That game was won by Iceland 3 nil.
PICK
12 under 3.5 @ 1.65
(Anybody to win and under 3.5 goals)
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