France and Nigeria square off in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Brazil, and the Nigerians aren’t going to sit back and allow the French to roll over them, which could be their downfall. The French have been one of the top teams in the tournament so far, but the knockout stage is a different animal and they have higher expectations now.
World Cup Odds: France -195, Nigeria +615, Draw +615
Odds To Advance: France -430, Nigeria +345
Why France Can Win
France’s attacking trio of Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Valbuena has combined for five goals and four assists in basically two games since France drew 0-0 with Ecuador in their final match to win Group E. Benzema has been in especially great form and with him leading the line, France tore apart their group. Paul Pogba played two of the three matches, but showed why he is one of the best midfielders in Europe at 21 years old. This French team saw what happened with the player mutiny of 2010 and they are playing with a sense of pride, and it has definitely given them a boost.
The defense hasn’t really been challenged yet, and Nigeria is going to run at them. Captain Hugo Lloris is strong in goal, but how will the back four handle Nigeria’s pressure?
Why Nigeria Can Win
While Nigeria lost 3-2 to Argentina in their Group F finale, it showed a glimpse into the mindset they need to beat France: they aren’t scared of anyone and they will absolutely go straight at their highly-touted opponents. Ahmed Musa scored twice against Argentina and adds goals from midfield, while Ogenyi Ozani has to find his shooting boots; he has put just five of his 11 shots in the tournament on target, but that doesn’t mean he’ll stop shooting. Veteran Peter Odemwingie has been Nigeria’s best striker and he has played against some of the French players while in England, as has Jon Obi Mikel, who might be best suited to move back to his Chelsea position to shield the back four.
That will be the problem area for Nigeria, whose defense played well against Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina, but they didn’t have to do much against Iran, while Bosnia-Herzegovina gave them a couple of scares and Argentina, well, it was the Lionel Messi show and that is nothing to be ashamed of. France can come at you from wide or through the middle, and Nigeria will have to be careful.
Outlook
These two have met once in the past with Nigeria beating the French 1-0 in a 2009 friendly in France, but this will be a different game altogether. They’ll continue the offense-first theme of this spectacular World Cup, but ultimately, it might be Nigeria’s inability to stay back that hurts them as France just has more offensive weapons and ways to score than they do. This will be a very entertaining match, but the French will survive and make it back to the quarterfinals.
Pick: France
