France and Nigeria will meet for just the second time when they face off in the World Cup round of 16 in Brasilia on Monday afternoon.

Didier Deschamps's unbeaten France side advanced to the last 16 by topping Group E, scoring eight goals and conceding two, while Nigeria came second in Group F behind Argentina.

The pair's one and only meeting came in a Saint-Etienne friendly five years ago, with Nigeria winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Joseph Akpala.

This time around Les Bleus are heavy favourites, but Deschamps does have injury worries, especially in defence.

Both Mamadou Sakho and Laurent Koscielny are struggling to get fit in time, meaning that Eliaquim Mangala could get the nod to start alongside Raphael Varane.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be without midfielder Michael Babatunde after he broke his arm in a freak incident against Argentina on Wednesday.

Victor Moses could take Babatunde's place in midfield, but the Chelsea man has also been hampered by a muscular problem.

The winner will take on either Germany or Algeria in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.

Recent form

France: DWWWDW

Nigeria: LWDLDD

Possible starting lineups

France: Lloris; Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra; Cabaye, Pogba, Matuidi; Valbuena, Benzema, Griezmann

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Yobo, Omeruo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Musa, Moses, Odemwingie; Emenike

Sports Mole says: 2-0

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Written by
Pascal Lemesre

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