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Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Monday, June 30, 2014

Game 53 Preview: France vs. Nigeria

FRANCE vs. NIGERIA
Round of 16 - Game 5



 Date: June 30, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 1-0-0 Nigeria
Last Match: 2009 Friendly. Nigeria def. France 1-0.
Line: France -250.
Group E Preview here.
Group F Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: France (17th), Nigeria (44th)
Managers: Didier Deschamps (FRA), Stephen Keshi (NGA)
Captains: Hugo Lloris (FRA), Vincent Enyeama (NGA)
World Cup Appearances: 14 (FRA), 5 (NGA)
Best Finish: France (Champions, 1998), Nigeria (2x Round of 16, Last in 1998)
Qualifying Records: France (5-2-3, GF: 18, GA: 8), Nigeria (5-0-3, GF: 11, GA: 4)

Previous Game Results

France

Nigeria

June 16th - Nigeria tied Iran 0-0

Rosters




Injuries/Discipline

France: Patrice Evra (Yellow Card), Paul Pogba (Yellow Card)
Nigeria: Michael Babatunde (Out - Wrist), John Obi Mikel (Yellow Card), Victor Moses (Probable - Injury), Kenneth Omeruo (Yellow Card), Juwon Oshaniwa (Yellow Card)

Overview

One of the top teams in the group stages resumes their campaign today against a dangerous Nigerian squad. Four years ago at this time, France were embroiled in a huge scandal regarding player actions and performance in South Africa. Now they are being given 8/1 odds to win the 2014 World Cup.

Nigeria are the first obstacle for this French squad to get through if they want a shot at the trophy. And Nigeria bring a mix of speed and power to the field that France did not see in any of their group games.

France should stick with the 4-3-3 formation they have gone with this tournament. They are mostly healthy and have no suspensions so Didier Deschamps should have his full squad of players available for selection. France will likely revert to their lineup from their first two games after resting players against Ecuador. Potential selection issues exist in the midfield with whether Paul Pogba or Moussa Sissoko starts, and if Olivier Giroud finds his way in to the lineup as a forward.

Nigeria have gone with a 4-2-3-1 formation this tournament with only minor changes to their roster. They will definitely be without Michael Babatunde after he broke his wrist in the Argentina game but should have Victor Moses available again off injury.

France is expected to get their offence clicking again after being held scoreless against Ecuador. Nigeria will provide a stiff test for the young central defenders though, neither of which appear to be fully fit after last match.

Personnel

In the French Third: If you haven't seen Nigeria play, familiarize yourself with the name Emmanuel Emenike. The 27 year old Nigerian striker is the closest thing in the World Cup to a freight train as a forward. Has exceptional speed and power and is the focal point of this Nigeria offence. Nigeria have plenty of speed surrounding him but the key in this area will be effective play from Emenike. The French defence should be able to contain Emenike if they surround enough players around him. The key though will be to take him out of play without leaving their flanks open for his teammates. Advantage: Even.

In the Midfield: Speed and quick delivery if the ball are the name of the game offensively for Nigeria. France will counter that with their own speed and size and superb defensive organization through the midfield. On the ball, few teams this tournament have controlled play better then France and they will look to capitalize on Nigeria chasing the ball and pulling themselves out of position. Advantage: France.

In the Nigerian Third: Plenty of questions about Nigeria's organization and skill in their back four and that's a bad sign against this French team. France weren't clicking in their last game but part of that was personnel and they did still manage several shots on target. I expect Nigeria to have their hands as full here as they did last game when they surrendered 3 goals. Advantage: France.

Goalkeeping: Very little separating the goalkeepers in this game. Both experienced, both captains for their team. Lloris allowed fewer goals in group play but Enyeama looked the better prior to facing Argentina. Nitpicking to find anything separating these two. Advantage: Even

France will win if:

Shut Emenike down in your own half and get shots on Enyeama. This Nigerian offence flows entirely through Emenike as a lone striker. Dangerous running with the ball and laying off passes to his supporting players, Emenike having room to do what he wants will be very bad for France. Offensively, no need to try and be too fancy in the offensive third which they did against Ecuador. Get in to a scoring area and fire the ball on goal. Enyeama has given up some juicy rebounds this tournament and there will be second-chance opportunities if the first doesn't go in.

Nigeria will win if:

This is a tough one because there's obvious holes in the back line that France will exploit and France have very few weaknesses. Will have to stack their penalty area defensively and keep balls away from Enyeama as best as possible. On the counter-attack, need Emenike to hold balls up as long as possible so they can attack in numbers rather then merely turn the ball over with no numbers offensively.

Prediction

Nigeria get some runs upfield that terrorize the French defenders but France's offence far too good and efficient against this weak Nigerian line.

France 3-1 Nigeria

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