Nigeria take on Greece on Thursday in a game that both sides will be looking to win to keep their hopes of qualifying through Group B alive.

Both teams were beaten in their opening games, with the Super Eagles going down valiantly 1-0 to group favourites Argentina, whereas the sluggish Greeks were soundly beaten 2-0 by South Korea.

On paper, it would seem that the African's have the edge over their European opponents, having seen none of the form and solidity Greece showed to emerge as shock winners of the 2004 European Championships in Portugal.

Nigeria showed in spells that they were capable of getting a result from the Argentines, creating several good chances they could not convert, but the score was kept down by a combination of poor finishing from the South Americans and magnificent goalkeeping from Vincent Enyeama, who was named man of the match.

Greece are still yet to win a World Cup game in their history after losing all three at the 1994 finals in America, and have not scored a single goal, suggesting their triumph under current manager Otto Rehhagel six years ago was very much a flash in the pan.

The Super Eagles meanwhile have a better pedigree, reaching the second round in 1994 and beating Greece on the way in the group stage 2-0.

They also made it through the first stage in 1998 in France, falling to Denmark at the second phase of the tournament.

With Greece registering just two shots on target against Korea and their goal record at this stage there for all to see, Nigeria have to be considered favourites although they have not scored in their last four games at the tournament.

The record demonstrates that it isn't likely to be a pretty, free-flowing, high scoring game, something that has epitomised the competition so far, but there will be a lot riding on this game for both teams, with victory putting them right back in the mix for qualification and a draw doing little to satisfy either.

Taye Taiwo is poised to start at left back for Lars Lagerback's side, despite stubbing his toe in his team's opener.

Lagerback may also recall winger Peter Odemwingie to the starting lineup after bringing him on to good effect against Argentina, but he has no further injury worries ahead of a game that will see one side almost certain to make their exit should they be defeated.

Greece boss Rehhagel looks set to recall Liverpool centre back Sotirios Kyrgiakos to the side after he was surprisingly omitted from their defeat to South Korea.

The Greeks' poor defending from set pieces appears to have been a catalyst for the Reds' stopper's return, whereas fellow defender Vangelis Moras is available after recovering from a knock.

Whether the German coach will make any further changes to shake up his lacklustre side following their drab performance is unknown, but Dimitrios Salpingidis could gain a starting berth after impressing in the second half of their opening game.