:Headline: Preview: Costa Rica vs. Nigeria - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Thursday's International Friendlies clash between Costa Rica and Nigeria, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
In their final warm-up friendly fixture ahead of the World Cup, Costa Rica take on Nigeria at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica on Thursday.
While the Super Eagles will not be in Qatar, they will look to put together a fine run of form ahead of next year's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Serie Leone.
Match preview
Costa Rica secured their sixth World Cup appearance back in June, when they held firm to claim a slender 1-0 victory over New Zealand in the CONCACAF qualifying playoff final.
Los Ticos picked up seven wins, four draws and lost three of their 14 matches to collect 25 points and finish fourth in the CONCACAF qualifying group, clinching the playoff spot and missing out on an automatic qualification spot by only goal difference.
Despite being under the cosh for most of the game and seeing less than 35% of the ball possession, former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell netted the only goal of the game in the third minute to hand Luis Fernando Suarez's side a ticket to Qatar.
Since then, they have been involved in two warm-up friendly fixtures, playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw with South Korea on September 23 before seeing off Uzbekistan 2-1 four days later courtesy of stoppage-time goals from Anthony Hernandez and Kendall Waston.
Costa Rica are currently unbeaten in four straight games, claiming one draw and three wins, including a 2-0 victory over Martinique in Group B of the CONCACAF Nations League on June 5.
Suarez's side, who have been drawn into Group E of the World Cup alongside Spain, Germany and Japan, head to Qatar as the most experienced Central American nation, having featured in five previous World Cups.
Nigeria, on the other hand, failed to end their losing streak against Algeria as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against the North Africans when the sides squared off in a friendly matchup on September 27.
In a thrilling contest at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex, goals from Youcef Atal and Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez cancelled out Tarem Moffi's ninth-minute opener and gave Algeria a fourth consecutive victory over their West African counterparts.
Prior to that, the Super Eagles picked up two wins from their opening two games in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers — including a 10-0 thumping of Sao Tome and Principe on June 13 — before losing to Ghana in their Africa Nations Championship qualifying clash in September.
Having suffered a 2-0 first-leg defeat at the Cape Coast Stadium on August 28, Nigeria welcomed the Black Stars to the MKO Abiola National Stadium six days later where they claimed a 2-0 victory before losing 5-4 on penalties.
The three-time African champions were also denied a place in the upcoming World Cup by Ghana after losing to Otto Addo's men on the away goal rule following a 1-1 aggregate draw in the qualifying playoffs back in March.
Nigeria head into Thursday's game on a run of just two wins in their last 11 outings across all competitions, losing seven and claiming two draws since January's 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Costa Rica International Friendlies form:
- D
- L
Costa Rica form (all competitions):
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- L
Nigeria International Friendlies form:
- L
- L
- L
Nigeria form (all competitions):
- D
- L
- L
- W
- W
- L
Team News
Costa Rica have called up a 26-man squad for their clash against Nigeria, with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who is ninth in the nation's all-time appearance chart with 107 caps, headlining the team.
Defenders Bryan Oviedo, Ronald Matarrita and Daniel Chacon, who all ply their trade in the MLS, have also been included in the team, while Bryan Ruiz should captain the side on Thursday once again.
Campbell has also been named in the squad and will push for his 119th senior appearance for the national team, while he should be supported in attack by 22-year-old Anthony Contreras.
Meanwhile, Nigeria boss Salisu Yusuf has snubbed several national team stars for Thursday's friendly, including the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and in-for striker Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has been in red-hot form in front of goal this season, scoring nine goals and setting up two more in 12 games across all competitions for Napoli, who sit top of the Serie A standings.
Several Nigeria Professional League stars have been called up to the squad, including the likes of Daniel Bameyi, Samuel Kalu, Mustapha Jibrin and national Under-23 goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu.
Costa Rica possible starting lineup:
Navas; Fuller, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo; Borges, Ruiz, Bennette, Tejeda; Campbell, Contreras
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwosu; Bameyi, Nwobodo, Ogbonda, Kalu; Nosiru, Akanni, Ohaka; Faleye, Edidiong, Garba
We say: Costa Rica 2-1 Nigeria
While the full-time result is largely unimportant, Costa Rica will head into Thursday seeking a morale-boosting result ahead of their World Cup opener. The Central Americans take on an inexperienced Nigerian side and we are backing them to come out victorious in front of their home crowd.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data
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