SM
Real Madrid vs AC Milan: 7 hrs 18 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
FN
World Cup | Round of 16
Jun 30, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
NN

2-0

Pogba (79'), Yobo (90+2' og.)
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: France vs. Nigeria

:Headline: Preview: France vs. Nigeria: ID:162421: from db_amp
Sports Mole takes a closer look at the World Cup last-16 tie between France and Nigeria in Brasilia.

France and Nigeria will meet for just the second time when they face off in the World Cup round of 16 in Brasilia on Monday afternoon.

Didier Deschamps's unbeaten France side advanced to the last 16 by topping Group E, scoring eight goals and conceding two, while Nigeria came second in Group F behind Argentina.

The pair's one and only meeting came in a Saint-Etienne friendly five years ago, with Nigeria winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Joseph Akpala.

This time around Les Bleus are heavy favourites, but Deschamps does have injury worries, especially in defence.

Both Mamadou Sakho and Laurent Koscielny are struggling to get fit in time, meaning that Eliaquim Mangala could get the nod to start alongside Raphael Varane.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be without midfielder Michael Babatunde after he broke his arm in a freak incident against Argentina on Wednesday.

Victor Moses could take Babatunde's place in midfield, but the Chelsea man has also been hampered by a muscular problem.

The winner will take on either Germany or Algeria in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.

Recent form

France: DWWWDW

Nigeria: LWDLDD

Possible starting lineups

France: Lloris; Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra; Cabaye, Pogba, Matuidi; Valbuena, Benzema, Griezmann

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Yobo, Omeruo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Musa, Moses, Odemwingie; Emenike

Sports Mole says: 2-0

Check out what the Sports Mole sofa panel think of the encounter below:


amp_article__162421 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2014-06-30 15:53:18:
html db last update - 2014-06-30 15:53:18 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .