BBC Nigeria Iceland prediction

[marko]

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Nigeria's vice-captain Ogenyi Onazi could return to the side after being dropped for the opening defeat by Croatia.

Oghenekaro Etebo scored an own goal in that match and could make way, while Ahmed Musa is also in contention.

Iceland could be without Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who sustained a muscle injury against Argentina.

Rurik Gislason came on for Gudmundsson in that game, and may replace him in the starting line-up.

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OVERVIEW

Nigeria have the youngest squad on average at this World Cup, but the biggest concern heading into a crunch game with Iceland is that age-old problems remain. While it would be convenient to blame Nigeria's defensive frailties in the defeat by Croatia on the relative inexperience of their squad, a weakness at set-pieces has long been the Super Eagles' Achilles heel.

Since making their World Cup debut in 1994, 14 of the 27 goals they have conceded have come from a set-piece (52%), the worst percentage of any nation during that period, including an own goal from a corner in their group opener.

Conversely, organisation is very much Iceland's strength, as their impressive draw with Argentina demonstrated. Expertly drilled and rigidly disciplined, they frustrated the South Americans while giving up few clear-cut chances on their World Cup debut.

Worryingly for Nigeria, Iceland also looked threatening with a direct, long-ball orientated game that could cause a discombobulated defence no end of trouble. A second defeat for Nigeria, and they are out.

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

It's a game both teams will probably need to win to make the last 16, and Nigeria definitely can't afford to lose it after opening with a defeat.

Prediction: 1-1

[marko]

14 out of 27 goals were conceded by set plays! Iceland will be looking for direct long balls, that is Iceland only route to scoring, they do not have any plan B, so their plan A must work for them, what they have going for them is that defence line, reminiscent of the Old skool Italians, you have to make every opportunity count

Please CE tell me what Onazi brings to the table?

[Dammy]

14 out of 27 goals were conceded by set plays! Iceland will be looking for direct long balls, that is Iceland only route to scoring, they do not have any plan B, so their plan A must work for them, what they have going for them is that defence line, reminiscent of the Old skool Italians, you have to make every opportunity count

Please CE tell me what Onazi brings to the table?

Onazi brings energy which was lacking with the lackadaisical play against Croatia.

[oloye]

14 out of 27 goals were conceded by set plays! Iceland will be looking for direct long balls, that is Iceland only route to scoring, they do not have any plan B, so their plan A must work for them, what they have going for them is that defence line, reminiscent of the Old skool Italians, you have to make every opportunity count

Please CE tell me what Onazi brings to the table?

Onazi brings energy which was lacking with the lackadaisical play against Croatia.

I have not seen this energy for over a year now. I hope he can ignite it today sha!

[Prince]

14 out of 27 goals were conceded by set plays! Iceland will be looking for direct long balls, that is Iceland only route to scoring, they do not have any plan B, so their plan A must work for them, what they have going for them is that defence line, reminiscent of the Old skool Italians, you have to make every opportunity count

Please CE tell me what Onazi brings to the table?

Onazi brings energy which was lacking with the lackadaisical play against Croatia.

I have not seen this energy for over a year now. I hope he can ignite it today sha!

Oloye he does bring energy i think even against Senegal they knocked him out, He would be up for this game, I will bring him in,

[Goldleaf]

Onazi has underperformed for the SE for a long time and this time, Rohr made him pay for it.
A rejuvenated Ogenyi Onazi may work out well to our favour.

[ohenhen1]

It does look like a draw. I don't see how Nigeria will score a goal today. But anything is possible.

[marko]

Onazi brings strength, you can only bring this when you are fully fit, the Onazi i saw against England was unfit, thats why he struggled to make any sort of impact, so unless he has reagined fitness, he should sysrt from the bench

[mcal]

...na siddon look, yeah, anything fit happen.
Don't know, can't predict the out come.
It may be a long 90 minutes, or may be a quickie hope faded for both sides.
For the SE, they need a collective hump, clean 100% mind on the task.
Don't give up unnecessary foul in your half, close to the box.
What happens here is, as the opponent prepares for the freekick confusion reigns. Brains go blank, errors occur.

[oloye]

14 out of 27 goals were conceded by set plays! Iceland will be looking for direct long balls, that is Iceland only route to scoring, they do not have any plan B, so their plan A must work for them, what they have going for them is that defence line, reminiscent of the Old skool Italians, you have to make every opportunity count

Please CE tell me what Onazi brings to the table?

Onazi brings energy which was lacking with the lackadaisical play against Croatia.

I have not seen this energy for over a year now. I hope he can ignite it today sha!

Oloye he does bring energy i think even against Senegal they knocked him out, He would be up for this game, I will bring him in,

Prince , i do not deny his ability to inject energy into the game, i am one of his strong advocates based on this. But this energy has been missing for some time. When many people talk about the quality of players , it is the image of what was done a couple of years ago they nostalgically refer to as opposed to current form. I will give anything to have the old Onazi in the middle of the park. I hope he can bring it on