Nigeria takes on the visitors Iceland at “Volgograd Arena” in the gameweek two of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group stage. The match will be played in Volgograd on Friday, June 22nd.
Nigeria is forced to take a risk and claim exceptionally for a victory in the forthcoming clash as it lost the first round tackle. However, it is going to be a great problem for “Super Eagles” because their strong trace is play on the break which is quite natural when you have fast and powerful offense. Unfortunately, the Icelanders are very good in covering free zones while Nigeria doesn’t look so convincing in the positional attacks. Besides, the Africans will not be able to use their supremacy in physical conditions as they will have none against the high and tough Vikings.
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Meanwhile, Iceland is a nightmare for any A-team as although “Strakarnir okkar” do not show combinative game, they do not allow the opponent to do that as well. The Icelanders’ style is the rugged and sometimes even rough play, basing on physical power and the tactics of small fouls. As a result, such attitude turns the upcoming visitors into hardly beaten side. For instance, only France managed to stop the Icelanders at the UEFA EURO 2016, having beaten them in the quarter-final battle. Thus, “Strakarnir okkar” collected three draws, two victories and single draw in six encounters conducted within the final stages of the UEFA EURO 2016 (1:1 draws against Portugal and Hungary as well as 2:1 triumphs over England and Austria plus 2:5 defeat from France) and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (1:1 draw vs. Argentina). It should be also noted that the side scored in all six clashes mentioned above which means that it doesn’t need to posses ball in order to score and succeed in the tackles.
Iceland is considered to be the obvious favourite of the Friday fight as the team’s rivals have not found yet an effective weapon against the phenomenal Vikings who are equally dangerous on both halves of the pitch. Hence, as usual “Strakarnir okkar” will be totally focus on defense, waiting patiently for a chance in counter attack. In its turn, Nigeria will have to surge forward and open, facing some difficulties in defense. At the same time the Africans also struggle in attack, having scored just three goals in six latest battles. Consequently, not many goals are likely to be combined in the forthcoming game.
Prediction for the match: Iceland to win with 0.0 Asian handicap and under 3.5 scored goals.
