4-4-2: Nigeria's possible lineup vs Algeria and Head to Head stats

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will lock horns with the Desert Foxes of Algeria at the Oran Olympic Stadium in Belgaïd on Tuesday, September 27 (today).

Prior to today's friendly, the three-time African champions faced Algeria B side in a test game that ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

Goals from Alex Iwobi and Cyriel Dessers ensured that Jose Peseiro's side avoided what could have been a humiliating defeat for the Eagles.

But who is likely to start against the North Africans in today's encounter?

Predicted Starting XI

Goalkeeper: Francis Uzoh is likely to start in the post for obvious reasons.

Maduka Okoye is likely to warm the bench following his blunder in Friday's encounter.

Adeleye Adebayo’s performance in the second half against the Algeria team B was not inspiring either.

Defenders:

Centre backs

Coach Jose Peseiro is likely to go for a center-back pairing of Calvin Bassey in Kenneth Omeruo.

Bassey has been solid in defense for Ajax despite giving away a penalty in the last game.

Omeruo is by far the most experienced defender in the team. The Leganes captain is likely to get the nod ahead of the others.

Full backs

Ola Aina has the right-back position firmly in his grip. The Torino defender has little or no competition in that role.

Zaidu Sanusi will complete the defense in the left-back role.

Midfielders

The in-form Alex Iwobi will undisputedly start in midfield. Iwobi has been in remarkable form for both club and country. The 26-year-old will also achieve a milestone of 60 international appearances today.

Raphael Onyedika is likely to pair with Iwobi at the center of the pitch.

The club Brugge midfielder is likely to make his first official debut with the Super Eagles.

He was impressive on Friday against Algeria B side.

Nantes winger, Moses Simon, and Atalanta's Ademola Lookman will play on the wings.

Forwards

Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi are likely to start upfront for the Super Eagles ahead of Cyriel Dessers and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Moffi has netted 6 goals in 8 French Ligue 1 appearances for Lorient, only PSG's duo of Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe has scored more.

Iheanacho has also shown glimpses of some good performance for Leicester City despite his club languishing at the bottom of the Premier League.

Dessers is currently on a dry spell for his new club Cremonese, the 27-year-old is yet to find the back of the net since completing his 6.5million euros move in the summer.

Awoniyi on the other hand has managed a single goal for Forest since joining the Premier League newcomers from Union Berlin in the summer transfer window.

Starting XI: Francis Uzoho, Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Kenneth Omeruo, Raphael Onyedika, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Terem Moffi.

Head-to-head

Nigeria and Algeria have so far played 7 matches across all competitions.

Both countries have won 3 matches and one has ended in a draw.

The Super Eagles have scored 12 goals in have conceded 7 in the 7 meetings.

The Desert Foxes on the other hand have scored 7 and conceded 12 goals against the three-time African champions.

Prediction

With most of the key players missing from the team, the Super Eagles still have enough quality to put the Algerians to the sword.

Nigeria is likely to win, the worst result will be a draw for the Eagles.

WDN/NBA