Iran – Nigeria

Both sides need to win this game if they are to challenge Bosnia and Argentina for the first or second place in group F. The Nigerians are the favorites according to the bookies, and deservingly so, but the ambitious Iranian team will try everything to get a result.

Iran was pretty impressive in the Asian qualies, dodging Korea Republic and Uzbekistan to finish first and qualify for the World Cup. Iran`s resuls have also been decent lately, they don`t lose too many games, but the problem is that the level of opposition they regularly face is nowhere near Nigeria’s quality. The only World Cup level team Iran has played in the last years is South Korea, but the Koreans are far from their best shape lately. Look for Iran to count on their very good defense (just 2 goals allowed in 8 matches in qualification) and their good chemistry.

Nigeria enters this World Cup hoping that their star-packed squad will be able to play together like a team and fend off Bosnia for the second place. With the likes of Obi Mikel, Moses, Enyeama, Odemwingie or Emenike, clearly the Africans do not lack talent. Nigeria is on the back of a 2-1 friendly loss to the USA and has not won in 4 matches, but they faced good opposition and lately the Super Eagles turned up when it counted the most, for example winning the African Cup of Nations.

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Team news & lineups

Nigeria and Iran are happy to report a clean bill of health, and no suspensions either. The best respective lineups are expected on the pitch.

Iran: Davari – Beitashour, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi – Nekounam, Teymourian – Haddadifa, Shojaei, Dejagah – Ghoochannejhad.

Nigeria: Enyeama – Ambrose, Oboabona, Omerou, Oshaniwa – Mikel, Onazi, Azeez, Moses – Odemwingie, Emenike.

Listen, I won`t underestimate Iran here, I think they can win 1 or 2 points in this group in certain circumstances, but with mostly domestic based players in the squad they just don`t have the quality and experience to do damage at this level. Their defense will help them keep games close , but I don`t expect them to create too many scoring chances during the tournament. After so many goals banged in so far in the World Cup, I can easily see this going under, and the odds now have great value on this bet – if this match was played in the first 2-3 days of the competition, surely the odds for the under would be around 1.50. Expect Nigeria to keep the ball and pass it around, trying to find open spaces in the rock solid Iranian defense. This will be a tough, rugged low-scoring game, so my tip is under 2,5 goals. Nigeria to win looks a decent bet as well, but I can also see Iran holding for a draw. Prediction: Iran – Nigeria 0-1.

Pick: under 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.75 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6
Event date: 16 June