TEAM NEWS
Odion Ighalo is likely to start for Nigeria on what will be his 29th birthday, while Wilfred Ndidi is expected to be fit, despite concerns over a hamstring injury.
Defender Leon Balogun is a doubt after missing training on Thursday. Experienced Croatian quartet Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Vedran Corluka and Mario Mandzukic should start.
There is still uncertainty in a number of positions, but Ivan Strinic is tipped to get the nod at left-back.
CROATIA LINE UP
23 Danijel Subašić (Goalkeeper)
2 Šime Vrsaljko (Defender)
6 Dejan Lovren (Defender)
21 Domagoj Vida (Defender)
3 Ivan Strinić (Defender)
7 Ivan Rakitić (Midfielder)
10 Luka Modrić (Midfielder)
18 Ante Rebić (Forward)
9 Andrej Kramarić (Forward)
4 Ivan Perišić (Midfielder)
17 Mario Mandžukić (Forward)
NIGERIA LINE UP
23 Francis Uzoho (Goalkeeper)
12 Abdullahi Shehu (Midfielder)
5 William Ekong (Defender)
6 Leon Balogun (Defender)
2 Brian Idowu (Defender)
4 Wilfred Ndidi (Midfielder)
8 Oghenekaro Etebo (Midfielder)
11 Victor Moses (Midfielder)
10 John Mikel Obi (Midfielder)
18 Alex Iwobi (Midfielder)
9 Odion Ighalo (Forward)
Crucial early match for both sides
Group D, which also contains Iceland and Argentina, is arguably this year’s ‘group of death’ and this game is crucial for Croatia and Nigeria’s hopes of progressing.
While Nigeria is the lowest-ranked nation in Group D, Iceland is making their World Cup debut while the Africans have only missed one of the last seven World Cups.
The Super Eagles reached the last 16 in 1994, 1998 and 2014, although their group win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2014 was their first victory since France 98.
Croatia finished third that year when they made their debut as an independent country, but they have failed to reach the knockout stage since, making group exits in 2002, 2006 and 2014.
Real Madrid playmaker Modric, Barcelona midfielder Rakitic and Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic remain, key players, while Nigeria has former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi as captain, with Premier League pair Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi also in their squad.
VIEW FROM THE CROATIAN CAMP
Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic: “The most important thing now is those three points. We certainly have very high-quality offensive players and we shouldn’t be afraid. It’s important that we play well and create opportunities for our attackers.”
VIEW FROM THE NIGERIAN CAMP
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr: “I love this group because we know how to rise to the occasion together. Nigeria will be ready for Croatia.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Croatia play on the front foot but they are solid as well as skilful and I think they will be too strong for Nigeria.
John Mikel Obi, who now plays in China, is probably Nigeria’s best player and their hopes of making it out of the group rest largely on his shoulders.
Prediction: 1-0
Source: BBC News
