By beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0, the Nigerians were able to end their long win-less drought in the quadrennial tournament. With that, Nigeria now aim to lock up the No. 2 spot in Group F. Standing in their way are the Argentinians, who are going all in to win the group via a sweep.
Can the Super Eagles put the clamps on Argentina, whom we predicted to win the 2014 World Cup in our preview? Or will Argentina stamp its class anew? Read more World Cup 2014 previews here.
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Nigeria vs. Argentina, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
Argentina can win the group with a win, while Nigeria can advance to the next round if they tie or beat the South Americans.
Betting on Nigeria
Now in good position to secure a berth to the next round, the Super Eagles will face their toughest test yet on Wednesday when they go up against Argentina. After seeing the South Americans struggle against lowly Iran, Nigerian coach Stephen Kesh must be keen on taking a page from the Iranians’ book.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Iranians have had a significant measure of success in jamming the attacks of the potent Argentinians. The Nigerians are capable of dishing out the same kind of defensive pressure, and with a cast of scoring threats, they could spring back on the attack any time their defense gets the possession from Argentina.
After coming up short in the opener, the Nigerians made changes into their starting lineup in hopes of igniting their attacks. Kesh turned out to have made the right moves by replacing Ramon Azeez and Victor Moses with Peter Odemwingie and Michel Babatunde.
As proof to the effectiveness of the lineup modifications, the Nigerians managed to take 20 shots (13 on target), doubling their 10-shot output in the opener against Iran. Moreover, Odemwingie tallied the game-winner. Given the overall success Nigeria had against the Dragons, expect Kesh to stick with the lineup he rolled out against Argentina.
Betting on Argentina
It’s always going to be Lionel Messi for Argentina. Messi needed only one shot on target to put to rest the stubborn Iranian side. But Messi’s heroics aside, Argentina did not look like a team who are among the favored to win the World Cup. Certainly, coach Alejandro Sabella’s squad leave so much to be desired following the victory.
Argentina controlled the ball 70% of the game, but could not muster a goal until late in the match when Messi found the back of the net. But while Messi continues to sizzle, Gonzalo Higuan and Sergio Aguero both remained ineffective, just as they were in the opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
With the amount of talent from up front for Argentina, Sabella ought to employ the right scheme to make the three flourish altogether. In the game against Iran, Sabella changed his team’s formation from 5-3-2 to 4-3-3 and only then that the Argentinians’ attacks gained the fluidity they were looking for, concluding in the masterful goal of Messi.
Writer’s Prediction
Argentina get their most impressive win thus far in the tournament over Nigeria. Create a betting account now and win big on this huge Group F match up.
