Swiss-based football data company, CIES Football Observatory, has conducted a study in which it tried to predict the likely winner of the 2018 World Cup based on its exclusive power index.
Twenty-three players were selected for each team participating in the tournament based on their appearances during the qualifying campaign with the average sporting level of employer clubs and the average percentage of club matches played since July 2017 taken into account.
According to the results of the study, Spain is favourites to win their second World Cup with a power index of 100, followed by Brazil, France and Germany in that order.
The Super Eagles are ranked 22nd out of the 32 participating nations and have been tipped to finish third in Group D and crash out in the group stage.
Nigeria had 73 percent as their M %, that is percentage of domestic league matches played by the Super Eagles stars since July 2017.
The club coefficient of employer clubs is 0.55 and they ended up with a power index of 36.
The Eagles progressed to the round of 16 at the least edition in Brazil, before France sent them parking.
CIES Group D Teams Power Index
1) Argentina – 69
2) Croatia – 64
3) Nigeria – 36
4) Iceland – 33
