Nigeria vs Iceland FIFA World Cup 2018 – Lineups, Predictions & Stats Preview 22 June 2018

Nigeria and Iceland have never played against each other before and this is going to be their first competitive game in the most famous tournament in the world. Currently, the team of Nigeria stays in the last position in Group D while Iceland showed an amazing performance against their rivals Argentina and managed to win a point.

Nigeria Probable Lineups and Stats

Nigeria National Team nicknamed “The Super Eagles” made their 6th appearance in the World Cup in 2018. A team which was once ranked 5th by FIFA, the best ever by an African country. Gernot Rohr the head coach had managed three other African nations before taking the Super Eagles in 2016. Nigerian team goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun, William Trost-Ekong, Brian Idowu, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo, John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and forward, has composure and solidity in midfield, plus a strong forward, playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. Though the defensive players are young and fresh, few have big-time experience.

The Super Eagles have not been at their best in their past matches, that saw them having been beaten 2-0 by Croatia in their World Cup opening match. They had a possession of 45%, with an 84% passing accuracy and managed a total shots of 14 with on 2 on target.

Iceland Probable Lineups and Stats

This is the first ever World Cup for Iceland. Their national team led by a long-term head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, who has served as a manager since 2013 and as an assistant coach since 2011. Their World Cup squad is not that big in terms of name but they do wonders; They drew with Portugal and Hungary and beat Austria in the group stage. They also gave a warning to teams like England with two victories over mighty Holland in the qualifying. Their first eleven are forwards’ Alfreð Finnbogason, Gylfi Sigurdsson. Midfielders’ Birkir Bjarnason, Emil Hallfredsson, Aron Gunnarsson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, defenders’ Hörður Björgvin Magnússon, Ragnar Sigurðsson, Kári Árnason, Birkir Már Sævarsson and goalkeeper Birkir Már Sævarsson.

In their first match in the World Cup against Argentina, they managed a 1-1 draw. They performed really well having coming down from 1-0 and having a possession of 27%. They had nine shots, two on target. Unlike Argentina which had twenty six shots and seven on target. Birkir Már Sævarsson made six vital saves.

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Nigeria v Iceland – Head to Head

Nigeria and Iceland have never played against each other. Being the first World Cup for Iceland every game matters and a 1-1 draw on their opening match against Argentina is a true motivation. Though Nigeria who happen to be the last in their group, look to redeem themselves at least with a point against Iceland. Both teams looking to get at least a point.

Expert Tip

Looking at the facts and statistics, we can boldly say that Nigeria and Iceland are able to score at least goal in the opposing net. Nigeria will be no easy team to beat and we hope for a great football display on the pitch as we go for Over 2.5 Goals. These teams have no experience of playing against each other but have enjoyed an attacking approach to their games and we feel this promises a great game here as well. According to our experts and analysts, Iceland is our favourite to win. The odds are pretty good, that’s why we will combine our pick including Over 2.5 Goals & Under 9.5 Corners.  

Interesting Facts and Information

  • Iceland haven’t won in their last 5 games.
  • Nigeria haven’t won in their last 5 games.
  • Nigeria have lost 3 games in a row.
  • Nigeria wins 1st half in 23% of their games, Iceland in 38% of their games.
  • Iceland’s recent performance is better than Nigeria’s.
  • Nigeria scores 2 goals when playing at home and Iceland scores 2.14 goals when playing away (on average).
  • Nigeria has streak of 2 matches with 0 scored goals.
  • When Nigeria leads 1-0 at home, they win in 66% of their games.
  • When Iceland leads 0-1 away, they win in 66% of their games.
  • When Nigeria is down 0-1 home, they win 100% of their games.
  • When Iceland is down 1-0 away, they win 0% of their games.
  • Iceland have conceded a goal in each of their last 6 games.
  • Nigeria have conceded a goal in each of their last 5 games.

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