please log in to view this image Arena da Baixada, Curitiba 20:00 BST please log in to view this image TEAM NEWS 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. 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). please log in to view this image please log in to view this image 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. please log in to view this image
It'll be nice to see a game totally devoid of ego. These can sometimes be the best games at major tournaments, because it's the game each side believe they can win.
Ko is getting close, I'm getting nervous now. Did you know that you can nearly make the word 'Niagara' using the letters from Iran and Nigeria?
How is that a foul on the goalie, the forward was there first and the keeper ran right into him, terrible Reffing. That ground is exactly what I think we will end up with, maybe a bit tighter. Edit, just seen the PIC at the top, maybe with a fourth side too! Edit again, just seen its now got a fourth side and is 40k, perfect.
Every game has been at least interesting, at most very exciting so far. Long may it continue, I'm really enjoying this tournament. There are lots of mistakes being made, and Italy seem the most likely to minimise that part of their game.
I'm not sure the Ayotollahs will approve of Ashcan D'Shaggers tats....he's the Tehran version of David Beckham
Its like it all the way round now, its just like what I think we will get, not necessarily what I want but still much better than any new UK stadium built in the last decade.
