Match Previews
World Cup 2018
Round Group D
Nigeria
Last updated: Fri 22 June 2018 12:58No fresh injury worries. Simon is sidelined.
Played a poor game against Croatia in Kaliningrad in their opening game of the World Cup on Saturday. The Eagles never really looked dangerous in attack throughout the game and produced just one single effort of note in the entire game. They defended well for most of the time but were eventually outdone by the more experienced and talented Balkans outfit for a logical 2:0 loss.
Already have a mountain to climb in their bid to progress out of the group and will need something special to finish in one of the two top places. It is hard to see them changing their fortunes after such a meek and indecisive performance against the Croatians.
Now once again facing a European side but Iceland will present a vastly different challenge than the first opponent. They will be solid at the back and dangerous from set-pieces but Nigeria should have more time on the ball and Gernot Rohr would be looking for more efficiency and output from his wide players. Moses Simon is out injured but the 23 men selected for the World Cup are all fit and ready to play.
There is set to be a change of formation with John Obi Mikel dropping into an unfamiliar role in a back three. Also, the likes of Tyron Ebuehi and Ahmed Musa are set to be handed starting slots.
Iceland
Last updated: Fri 22 June 2018 12:58Iceland started their World Cup adventure with an excellent 1:1 draw against Argentina. Aron Gunnarsson is fit. Johann Gudmundsson is a major concern.
Iceland started their World Cup adventure with a 1:1 draw with Argentina. It looked like Heimir Hallgrimsson's men were up for a long afternoon when Kun Aguero put Argentina ahead on 19 minutes, but Iceland managed to level within four minutes and produced a brave display in the remainder of the game to secure a draw.
Hallgrimsson's men were never under pressure to progress into the knock-out stage but will certainly be dreaming of this after holding the group favourites to a draw. However, they still have it all to do and a lot will depend on the outcome of their upcoming game against Nigeria.
Skipper Aron Gunnarsson recovered from his injury sufficiently to start the game against Argentina and was his usual solid self in midfield while causing the opposition plenty of problems with his long throws. He is set to keep his place.
However, Johann Gudmunsson had to come off after suffering an injury in the second half of the game against Argentina and it remains to be seen if the World Cup is over for him.
Iceland's sole game against an African side in the current decade was their final friendly prior to this World Cup. It was them take on Ghana and they played out a 2:2 draw against the Black Stars.
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3-4-3 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| F. Uzoho | |||
| M. Jon Obi | |||
| W. Troost-Ekong | |||
| L. Balogun | |||
| T. Ebuehi | |||
| O. Etebo | |||
| W. Ndidi | |||
| B. Idowu | |||
| V. Moses | |||
| O. Ighalo | |||
| A. Musa |
4-4-1-1 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| H. Halldorsson | |||
| B. Saevarsson | |||
| R. Sigurdsson | |||
| K. Arnason | |||
| H. Magnusson | |||
| R. Gislason | |||
| E. Hallfredsson | |||
| A. Gunnarsson | |||
| B. Bjarnason | |||
| G. Sigurdsson | |||
| A. Finnbogason |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| D. Akpeyi | |||
| I. Ezenwa | |||
| C. Awaziem | |||
| A. Shehu | |||
| K. Omeruo | |||
| E. Echiejile | |||
| J. Ogu | |||
| O. Onazi | |||
| J. Obi | |||
| A. Iwobi | |||
| K. Iheanacho | |||
| S. Nwankwo |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| F. Uzoho | |||
| M. Jon Obi | |||
| W. Troost-Ekong | |||
| L. Balogun | |||
| T. Ebuehi | |||
| O. Etebo | |||
| W. Ndidi | |||
| B. Idowu | |||
| V. Moses | |||
| O. Ighalo | |||
| A. Musa |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| D. Akpeyi | |||
| I. Ezenwa | |||
| C. Awaziem | |||
| A. Shehu | |||
| K. Omeruo | |||
| E. Echiejile | |||
| J. Ogu | |||
| O. Onazi | |||
| J. Obi | |||
| A. Iwobi | |||
| K. Iheanacho | |||
| S. Nwankwo |
Iceland
Last updated: Fri 22 June 2018 12:58Iceland started their World Cup adventure with an excellent 1:1 draw against Argentina. Aron Gunnarsson is fit. Johann Gudmundsson is a major concern.
Iceland started their World Cup adventure with a 1:1 draw with Argentina. It looked like Heimir Hallgrimsson's men were up for a long afternoon when Kun Aguero put Argentina ahead on 19 minutes, but Iceland managed to level within four minutes and produced a brave display in the remainder of the game to secure a draw.
Hallgrimsson's men were never under pressure to progress into the knock-out stage but will certainly be dreaming of this after holding the group favourites to a draw. However, they still have it all to do and a lot will depend on the outcome of their upcoming game against Nigeria.
Skipper Aron Gunnarsson recovered from his injury sufficiently to start the game against Argentina and was his usual solid self in midfield while causing the opposition plenty of problems with his long throws. He is set to keep his place.
However, Johann Gudmunsson had to come off after suffering an injury in the second half of the game against Argentina and it remains to be seen if the World Cup is over for him.
Iceland's sole game against an African side in the current decade was their final friendly prior to this World Cup. It was them take on Ghana and they played out a 2:2 draw against the Black Stars.
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- ---
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| H. Halldorsson | |||
| B. Saevarsson | |||
| R. Sigurdsson | |||
| K. Arnason | |||
| H. Magnusson | |||
| R. Gislason | |||
| E. Hallfredsson | |||
| A. Gunnarsson | |||
| B. Bjarnason | |||
| G. Sigurdsson | |||
| A. Finnbogason |