After the nightmare that was 2010, France is showing the type of football that had them as one of our World Cup sleeper picks this year. With a host of weapons going forward, Group E winners France will prepare an all-out assault on Group F runners-up Nigeria. But Les Bleus will be wise not to underestimate the Super Eagles, who gave mighty Argentina a run for their money.
Nigeria will look to utilize its strong counterattacking ability, similar to what we’ll see in Costa Rica vs. Greece. Check out a preview of that game here, and read on to learn more about this Round of 16 clash.
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France vs. Nigeria, World Cup 2014, Round of 16 Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil
France manager Didier Deschamps made the decision to rest some of his stars as opposed to going for the perfect record in the group stage, but a scoreless draw against Ecuador was still enough to see them top Group E.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Not much should really be put into the French performance against Ecuador, their least impressive thus far in the tournament, since they were without key players such as Patrice Evra, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Valbuena. Expect their full-strength starting 11 to take the field when they take on Nigeria.
That first-choice starting lineup has produced two of the more impressive showings in the tournament to date. They thrashed Honduras 3-0 and handed Switzerland, who were thought to be their main challengers in the group, a 5-2 demolition.
One would be hard-pressed to name one player from France’s attack and midfield not currently having a terrific tournament. Striker Karim Benzema has three goals and two assists. The midfield trio of Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba has been excellent, while Valbuena and Antoine Griezmann have combined expertly with Benzema.
It says a lot that despite Olivier Giroud’s great form, he likely won’t feature in the starting lineup against Nigeria. However, Giroud should give Deschamps that extra weapon off the bench to throw in later in the game.
Betting on Nigeria
Nigeria gave Argentina all they could handle in their final Group F clash, and proved to be the World Cup favorites’ sternest test to date. Ahmed Musa cancelled out Lionel Messi’s goals twice, but despite the Super Eagles falling 3-2, they still secured a spot in the next round after Iran’s loss to Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The Nigerians’ great strength is their ability to counterattack with great speed. Since Nigeria will likely be on the back foot against France, who like to commit players forward, their wingers, Musa and Peter Odemwingie, should have some space to exploit.
If the French are vulnerable at any position, it’s at fullback. Mathieu Debuchy’s defending ability is questionable, while Patrice Evra’s ageing legs have made him a liability in recent years. The Super Eagles could create some decent chances against a fairly shaky French defense, but the question will be if they are clinical enough to put those chances away.
Musa and Odemwingie have scored all three of the team’s goals in the tournament but neither have been particularly prolific for Nigeria throughout their international careers.
At the back, midfielder John Obi Mikel will be vital in holding the fort amid the waves of French attacks. Mikel has a lot of experience in playing nearly a full match worth of constant defending during his time at Chelsea, and he’ll be the team’s shield in front of the back four.
Writer’s Prediction
France have too much firepower, which they use to blow past the Super Eagles. Take Les Bleus to win and move on to the quarters. Create a betting account today and get into the latter stages of the World Cup.
