Nigeria v Bosnia-Herzegovina: World Cup 2014 match preview

A look ahead to a crucial match in Cuiaba where both sides need a result

Stephen Keshi, the Nigeria coach, watches his side get held to a draw by Iran (Getty Images)

This is a match where both teams will be looking to return to their winning ways and make a case for themselves as a legitimate candidate for the Round of 16.

Follow Argentina v Iran live here

Nigeria failed to win or score against Iran last week and now manager Stephen Keshi is facing quite a few injury concerns.

Defender Godfrey Oboabona has been ruled out due to ankle injury at last week’s opener. Chelsea centre-back Kenneth Omeruo was injured in training whereas CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa picked up a knock at Nigeria’s warm-up match with Greece.

Both struggled at last week’s match and might have to sit that one out alongside defensive midfielder Reuben Gabriel.

Edin Dzeko needs to play a leading role for Bosnia-Herzegovina against Nigeria (Getty Images)

Bosnia-Herzegovina lost to Argentina but made it extremely hard for the group favourites to create chances and caused many problems at the Albiceleste’s back.

Manager Safet Susic is not expected to make any substantial changes to a relatively competitive side but could include last week’s scorer Vedad Ibisevic.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 11pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Both teams have never faced each other

STATS…

This is the very first time both sides collide

Nigeria have failed to win a single match in their last nine World Cup matches, which is the longest run out of all other teams in this summer’s competition. The Nigerians have lost six of those games.

The Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama kept 21 clean sheets this season with Lille, which is more than any other keeper in the top five European leagues

All of Nigeria’s three goals at the last World Cup came from set pieces.

Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic scored Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first ever World Cup goal last week. The Bosnians are of course the only nation in the competition to be making their debut this year.

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko was involved in 14 out of 30 goals scored by his nation at the European qualifiers – more than any other player. The Bosnian scored 10 and assisted four goals.

ODDS…

Nigeria to win: 7.2

Bosnia-Herzegovina to win: 10.11

Draw: 13.5

TV: Live on BBC One at 11pm