Group D: Nigeria v Paraguay

They haven't exactly set the tournament alight so far, but then teams like Japan, Jamaica and South Korea have played some nice football without it getting them anywhere, so why should Paraguay complain if a third successive goalless draw gets them through to the second round then so be it.

The draw is what Paulo Cesar Carpegiani is likely to look for this evening, although if Nigeria, who are not only sure of qualification but also of topping the group, decide to take it easy then the South Americans may just go for broke for a victory would take the matter entirely out of the hands of Spain and Bulgaria and secure for the Paraguayans what would be the biggest qualification shock of this tournament.

It's far from in the bag, though, as goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert admits, however he says: "We won't underestimate them like Spain did, we know that they are the best team in this World Cup so far."

They may pay their opponents the appropriate amount of respect, but the Paraguayan cause is not helped by the fact that key midfielders Roberto Acuna and Miguel Benitez both picked up knocks in last Friday's game against Spain.

Benitez should be fit to start all right, but Acuna remains doubtful and Carlos Paredes is on stand-by to replace the vastly experienced Real Zaragoza midfielder. Hugo Brizuela of Argentina Juniors is likely to start up front after failing to get even a late run out in the two group games, with Jose Cardozo probably just pipping Cesar Ramirez for the second spot.

The Olympic champions are certainly without their captain Uche Okechukwu, who picked up yellow cards in each of his first two outings, while Nwankwo Kanu, whose career was resurrected after surgery to repair a hole in his heart 18 months ago, may well start if Bora Milutinovic opts to rest African player of the year Victor Ikpeba.

Probable Teams Nigeria: Rufai; Oparaku, West, Okafor (or Eguavoen), Babayaro, Oliseh, Okpara, George, Lawal, Kanu, Amokachi Paraguay: Chilavert, Arce, Gamarra, Ayala, Sarabia, Caniza, Acuna (or Paredes), Benitez, Enciso, Brizuela, Cardozo (or Ramirez).