France have been excellent at the World Cup so far, with Didier Deschamps' side showing no signs of the major tournament capitulation that haunted them throughout recent years. The team comfortably blitzed Honduras and Switzerland by three-goal margins in the group stages, and was only held scoreless by eliminated Ecuador after making a string of changes to its starting lineup.
They're certainly looking likely to progress into the quarterfinals, though Nigeria will be looking to stop them in their first knockout game on Monday. Stephen Keshi's side weren't great in the group stages, winning one of their three games, though nothing seems certain at this tournament.
Team news
France coach Deschamps will likely make several changes to a side that was held to a goalless draw by Ecuador in the final group stage game, having opted to rest several key players. Patrice Evra, Raphaël Varane, Mathieu Debuchy, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Valbuena are all expected to start.
Nigeria will be without midfielder Michel Babatunde after he fractured his arm, whileJoseph Yobo and Victor Moses will both have to shake off knocks if they're to be involved. Keshi has a variety of versatile options to use in attack, with Ramon Azeez and Michael Uchebo likely to battle over a place alongside Ahmed Musa, Peter Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenike.
Projected lineups (left to right)
France (4-3-3): Hugo Lloris; Patrice Evra, Mamadou Sakho, Raphaël Varane, Mathieu Debuchy; Blaise Matuidi, Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba; Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema, Mathieu Valbuena.
Nigeria (4-2-3-1): Vincent Enyeama; Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose; John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi; Ahmed Musa, Ramon Azeez, Peter Odemwingie; Emmanuel Emenike.
by SB Nation / www.FlagWigs.com
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