FRANCE VS NIGERIA - STATS PREVIEW

*This will be only the second international meeting between France and Nigeria. The Super Eagles won the previous meeting 1-0 in Saint-Etienne
back in June 2009.
*Les Blues have lost two of their last three World.Cup matches against African nations (2002 v Senegal and 2010 v South Africa). They beat Togo between these two defeats, in 2006.
*Nigeria have scored a goal in all but one of their previous 10 World Cup finals matches against European sides.
*The Super Eagles are aiming to become just the fourth African side to make the quarter finals of a World Cup tournament (after Cameroon in 1990,
Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010).
*Nigeria have only won one of their last 11 World Cup matches.
*Nigeria have lost both of their previous World Cup second round ties – 1-2 v Italy in 1994 and 1-4 v Denmark in 1998.
*All of France’s goals during this World Cup have come from inside the box.
*France have won all three of their previous second round ties at the World Cup (2-0 v Italy in 1986, 1-0 v Paraguay in 1998 and 3-1 v Spain in 2006).
*Les Blues attempted more shots at goal (50; excl. blocked) than any other side during the 2014 World Cup group stages.
*Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper during the 2013-14 French Ligue 1 season for Lille.
*On the last five occasions that France have progressed past round 1 in the World Cup, they have reached the semi-final stage (1958, 1982, 1986, 1998 and 2006).
*Karim Benzema has scored nine goals in his last nine appearances for France, including three goals in his three appearances at this World Cup.

GAME ANALYSIS

*France should dominate this game in terms of possession, with Nigeria happy to sit back and counter as they did against Argentina last time out.
*Les Bleus may find it hard to break down a compact defence but should have their chances, with the likes of Valbuena and Benzema in particular in confident mood.
*It's been an impressive start to the tournament from Deschamps' side but their centre-backs will need to be up for the battle against Emenike, who
spearheads a powerful Nigeria team.

PREDICTION
France played very well in their opening two games, beating Honduras 3-0 and thrashing Switzerland 5-2. Their last group game ended 0-0 with Ecuador and the French did try hard to win that game, but just could not break down a stubborn Ecuador side. Nigeria were poor in their opening two games, drawing with Iran and somehow pulling off a 1-0 win over a poor Bosnia team in that game. Nigeria however played very well against Argentina, although
losing 2-3 they managed two goals against an excellent Argentina side. If they are fully motivated for this one they may score against France. Switzerland showed how France's defence may have some weakness. However given France's attacking power and Nigeria's inability to
defend well at times, we're going for a France win. WHAT IS YOUR OWN PREDICTION?

BETTING TIPS
*France straight win is a 65% probability, a draw 25% while a Nigeria win is 10%
*Benzema has scored 3 goals in his last 3 world cup matches for France, there is a high chance of him nicking one here. Benzema to score any time is a good bet here.
*France has averaged over 2goals in their last 3WC games while Nigeria has average 1goal. Nigeria's defence hasn't been the best conceding over 40+ shots at the group stage. France are a bit better but not the strongest at the back too as exposed by the Switz, expect at least over 1.5goals from this match.

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