Full Preview Of Nigeria / Iran Match For Today

• Venue: Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
• Date: Monday, 16 June
• Kick-off: 20:00 BST

Iran left-back Hashem Beikzadeh, who suffered an injury in a warm-up game, is back in training but lacks fitness.

They will reportedly be unchanged from their last friendly, with Charlton's Reza Ghoochannejhad their lone striker.

Nigeria lost first-choice left-back Uwa Echiejile before the tournament began, so Juwon Oshaniwa will replace him.

Centre-back Kenneth Omeruo should be available despite a knock in training but midfielder Ruben Gabriel is reportedly doubtful.

MATCH PREVIEW

The goals have flowed freely at this World Cup, but Iran kept more clean sheets in qualifying than anyone else, while Nigeria's goal tally was the lowest of any side who made it to Brazil. So if there is a goalfest in Curitiba it must surely be something the locals are putting in the water.

Neither team has won a World Cup game since 1998, and neither approach this fixture in particularly good form. Iran laboured to three successive draws against Belarus, Montenegro and Angola before beating Trinidad and Tobago in their final warm-up match.   The Super Eagles drew with Mexico, Scotland and Greece before suffering defeat to the USA.

Coach Carlos Queiroz has been outspoken in his criticism of Iran's poor preparations. Allegations of badly-fitting kit briefly hit the headlines, but a lack of games against good opposition is a real hindrance. The highest-ranked side they have faced under Queiroz is Tunisia - currently 48th in the Fifa rankings - so they can justifiably be considered an unknown quantity.

In recent games Queiroz has fielded a defensive 4-4-1-1 formation featuring two wide players who often play at full-back for their clubs. However, his instinctive caution may be tempered by the knowledge that this game probably represents their best chance of only a second World Cup victory.

World Cup team profile: Nigeria

The Super Eagles are winless in eight World Cup games, losing six of those matches, and so far Stephen Keshi has prioritised blooding young players with the hope of translating Nigeria's brilliant record at youth level to senior success.

The squad selected by Keshi is one of the youngest in Brazil, with 15 players aged 25 or under - many of whom may not even remember Nigeria's last World Cup win. In contrast, the Iranians have 11 squad members the wrong side of 30, all but one of them outfield players.

If Iran are able to clip the wings of Keshi's Eaglets, "Big Boss" will come under real pressure from his critics in the Nigerian media.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• The only previous meeting was a friendly in January 1998, when Ahmed Garcia's goal gave Nigeria a 1-0 victory in Hong Kong.

Iran

• The Iranians have lost their opening game at their three previous World Cup appearances.
• They have won only of nine previous World Cup games (D2, L6) and have never kept a clean sheet.
• However, they kept more clean sheets in qualifying (10) than any other side.
• They have committed an average of 22 fouls per World Cup game, the highest ratio of any team involved in Brazil (prior to the start of the current tournament).

Nigeria

• The Super Eagles are winless in their last eight World Cup matches (L6, D2).
• They managed just seven shots on target at the 2010 World Cup - only three teams had lower totals (Honduras, New Zealand and Algeria).
• Over half (11 of 21) of the goals that Nigeria have conceded at World Cups have come from set plays.
• Their only previous World Cup game against Asian opposition was their 2-2 draw with South Korea during the group stage of the 2010 tournament - a result which eliminated them.