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2018 World Cup: Nigeria v Croatia: Team news, injuries, potential lineups, preferred formations

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3 years ago

July 3, 2022

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Croatia and Nigeria will clash in the day-3 of the World Cup in Russia with the Europeans having the better bet to beat the West African side in their first Group D game in Kaliningrad.

Croatia only scored 15 times in its 10 group games, a goal tally lower than every other country that qualified from Europe.

However, they conceded only four goals through the qualifying series.

They boasts of players like Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic and Perisic and has true wildcard potential, and could either be a world beater or crash out in spectacular fashion.

Croatia preferred formation and potential lineup: (4-3-3): Subasic; Vrsaljko, Corluka, Vida, Strinic; Rakitic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Mandzukic, Perisic.

Injury worries: Coach Zlatko Dalić has no injury worries and his team has been in perfect condition ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

For Nigeria, Gernot Rohr’s men did not lose any of their qualifying matches against Cameroon, Zambia, and Algeria.

However, nobody is expecting them to progress to the knockout stages having the Lionel Messi-led Argentina in the same group.

Nigeria did well against England at Wembley a few days ago and they certainly have the ability to cause a shock or two.

In a potential 4-3-3 formation and based on performances in recent friendly matches, for the game against Croatia, barring any last minute change, Nigeria will be fielding: Francis Uzoho,

Abdullahi, Bryan Idowu, Kenneth Omeruo, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi , Mikel Obi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo.

Nigeria’s team is young but filled with flair and they will certainly cause the Croatian defence some problems.

On paper, the two teams are of a fairly similar standard, however, Croatia has the experience and depth in their side to grab the three points.

Injury worries: There are fears in the Super Eagles camp that Leon Balogun may not feature in the game after he sustained a minor injury in training on Wednesday.