As we discussed in our pre-tournament previews, Bosnia-Herzegovina is poised to be a sleeper in its World Cup debut. The debutantes put in a solid showing in their gritty, high-stakes match with Argentina, and despite the loss they have lots to be optimistic about going into the two games that will determine their fate.
A stern defensive challenge awaits them when they meet the wall that is Nigeria, which negated Iran to earn the first draw of World Cup 2014 on Monday.
Read on for everything you need to know to get into this major game in Group F and create a betting account now to cash in on all the action.
[sc:Soccer ]Nigeria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, Brazil
When: June 21, 6:00 PM ET
Line: Bosnia-Herzegovina -140 vs. Nigeria +341, tie +232; total 2.5 – view all World Cup lines
Betting on Nigeria
Nigeria’s World Cup opener against Iran ended in a scoreless stalemate, giving it the dubious distinction of being the first scoreless game and the first draw of the tournament.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The scoreless tie was a product of both team’s solid defense. For Nigeria, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was remarkable, stopping all of Iran’s six shots on goal. Enyeama comes in having proven his worth in Europe, putting up 21 clean sheets in his 2013-14 stint in the French Ligue 1. No goalkeeper kept more clean sheets in the top five European leagues during that season than Enyeama.
From the midfield Ogenyi Onazi and Obi Mikel had completed 80 successful passes between the two of them in the first half, more than the entire Iranian team. The two midfielders, when not creating opportunities for their strikers, can keep the ball in their possession. Against Iran, Nigeria had possession for 63% of the match.
Nigeria couldn’t get much going offensively, however, with Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses, and Ahmed Musa all failing to score under pressure from Iran’s defense. They were often too impatient to sit back and wait for openings, forcing the issue too much despite the lack of clear chances. Forcing shots without openings against Bosnia-Herzegovina will only earn a more rigorous day of running for the Nigerian strikers. It’ll take more discipline, and a well thought-out plan of attack to even challenge the Bosnian defense.
Nigeria is 0-6-2 in its last eight World Cup games.
Betting on Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia-Herzegovina showed some promise after giving Argentina a stern challenge in their first match, the Bosnians’ first ever World Cup appearance as an independent nation.
The Zmajevi solidified their status as one of the World Cup’s sleeper teams in their match against Argentina. Zmajevi defensive midfielder Muhamed Besic showed promise in being able to challenge Lionel Messi. The Bosnian defense left little space for Messi to score, and it was over an hour before the four-time World Footballer of the Year would find an opening to shoot on target to score.
Bosnia’s defenders, along with its midfield, will be able to impede Nigeria’s impatient strikers. If they could contain Messi and the offensive output of Argentina, their chances of containing Nigerian attack will be even better.
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s best quality is in their attack. The team collected a total of 30 goals in the qualifiers to earn a ticket to the World Cup. Despite scoring 10 of the 30 goals in the qualifiers, star striker Edin Dzeko found himself scoreless in the match against Argentina.
Instead, it was Vedad Ibisevic who scored Bosnia’s first goal in the World Cup. Ibisevic has shown tremendous scoring potential getting 21 goals in 56 caps for his country. While Ibisevic began as a substitute against Argentina, that goal may just put him back in the starting lineup against Nigeria in a more attack-minded Bosnian formation.
Bosnia narrowly defeated a strong, defensive Mexico team in their final friendly before the World Cup. Nigeria is a similarly strong defensive unit, but as they showed against Mexico, they’ll eventually score the goals they’ll need.
Create a betting account to cash in on this potential sleeper. Not only can they win the match, they have the potential to cause major upsets.
Writer’s Prediction
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s attack will be too much for Nigeria to handle. Take the Zmajevi at -140 to win the game.
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