Nigeria v Iran Betting Tips and Predictions

Iran meet Nigeria in the opening Group F fixture for both sides, neither side are fancied to get out of a group that also contains pre-tournament favourites Argentina and dark horses Bosnia and Herzegovnia and we have free World Cup 2014 betting tips.

Experience is certainly on Nigeria’s side, their squad boasts the likes of Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel (or Mikel John Obi or Obi John Kenobi or whichever you prefer), Peter Odemwingie, whose Land Rover based escapades will live long in transfer deadline day history and Victor Moses, the toughest opponent Luke Shaw has ever faced.

The African cup of Nations champions could be without winger Ahmed Musa and defender Elderson Echiejile, both of who sustained injuries in warm-up games.

Iran’s squad is almost devoid of noticeable names, only Fulham’s Ashkan Dejagah ply’s his trade in the Premier League, so expect plenty of mentions of that during commentary, whilst Reza Ghoochannejhad plays for Charlton.

The Super Eagles qualified with ease, conceding just 4 goals in their 8 qualifying matches and were undefeated in the process. However, they struggled at the other end of the pitch, scoring just 11 goals, the fewest of any qualifying team, with only Moses and Emineke scoring more than twice.

In qualifying Iran, only conceded 0.44 goals per game, although it’s worth considering that their qualification group contained the likes of Qatar and Uzbekistan; that said they did manage to beat South Korea twice and are the highest ranked in Asia.

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It’d be easy to overlook an Iran side, who have never qualified from a World Cup group stage, but they finished ahead of South Korea in qualifying and with Carlos Quireoz at the helm there could be more to them than meets the eye.

Iran will attempt to soak up the pressure from Nigeria an hit them on the counter, relying on the craft of Fulham’s Ashkan Dejagah and Charlton’s Reza Ghoochannejhad to take the chances. Much will rely on their defensive stability and whether or not Nigeria have enough creativity to break them down.

In terms of form, Nigeria haven’t won in their last 3 friendlies, losing 2-1 against the USA on Saturday an drawing with Greece and Scotland. Iran are coming off the back of a confidence boosting 2-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago, but before that drew with Algeria and Montenegro.

It probably won’t be the most entertaining of games, on paper it looks like the kind of match that’ll be settled by some individual piece of skill or a mistake, more likely the latter given those on show. The last time the sides met it ended in a 1-0 win for Nigeria, I can see the same result here.

Nigeria are a good price to win this at 5/4 with Bet365 and should have enough about them to get past a resilient Iran side. It looks like this could be a tight match and despite only being priced at 1/2, under 2.5 goals looks a sure thing. Both sides kept plenty of clean sheets in qualifying and are strong at the back.

For the final bet I like the look of Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike to score first, he was the Super Eagles’ top goal scorer in qualifying and if chances do come they should fall his way. He is priced at 11/2 to score first with Bet365.

Nigeria v Iran Betting Tips

Nigeria to Win – Bet Here at 5/4 with Bet365

Under 2.5 goals: Bet Here at 1/2 with Betfred

Emenike to score first: Bet Here at 6/1 with Bet365

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