Australia vs Nigeria – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Australia vs Nigeria on and what time does it start? Australia vs Nigeria will take place on Thursday 27th July, 2023 – 11:00 (UK)
Where is Australia vs Nigeria taking place? Australia vs Nigeria will take place at Lang Park in Brisbane, Australia.
Where can I get tickets for Australia vs Nigeria? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Australia vs Nigeria
What channel is Australia vs Nigeria on in the UK? Australia vs Nigeria will be televised live on BBC Two
Where can I stream Australia vs Nigeria in the UK? Australia vs Nigeria can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
THE LOWDOWN
AUSTRALIA
- Australia were pushed hard by Republic of Ireland, but despite being without Sam Kerr and far from their best performance wise, the Matildas came through to win 1-0, cementing themselves at the top of Group B.
- Star striker Kerr has a calf-injury and is confirmed to be missing this next match, but whilst it was Mary Fowler who deputised vs Republic of Ireland, she failed to find the net and isn’t assured of her place this time round.
NIGERIA
- Nigeria can be delighted with how they have started out at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, holding Canada to a 0-0 draw in a contest which included a superb penalty save from Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to deny Christine Sinclair.
- The one negative from a Nigerian perspective was the sending off of midfielder Deborah Abiodun deep into second half stoppage time and with her now suspended, substitute Jennifer Echegini could be the one to come into the starting line-up.
THE TEAM NEWS
AUSTRALIA
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Cooney-Cross, Gorry, Vine; Foord, Fowler
UNAVAILABLE: Kerr (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Yallop (Injured)
NIGERIA
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre; Ucheibe, Echegini; Ordega, Payne, Onumonu; Oshoala
UNAVAILABLE: Abiodun (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- This is only the second meeting between these two nations. Their previous encounter saw Australia defeat Nigeria 2-0 in the group stage at the Women’s World Cup in 2015 with Kyah Simon scoring a goal in each half.
- Australia have won their last three FIFA Women's World Cup group stage matches.
- Australia have won their last three FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against African opposition.
- Australia have won ten of their last 11 international matches (L1).
- Australia have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine international matches.
- Australia are unbeaten in their last four FIFA Women's World Cup matches (W3 D1); their longest sequence without losing a match in the competition. (*penalty shoot-outs considered draws)
- Nigeria have won only two of their last 18 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ matches (D3 L13).
- In their opening match, Nigeria were involved in a goalless draw at the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time, in what is their 27th match in the competition.
- Asisat Oshoala has scored for Nigeria at the last two FIFA Women’s World Cup final competitions. No Nigerian player has scored in three different editions of the tournament.
THE PREDICTION
Australia did just enough to get the better of Republic of Ireland, but unsurprisingly lacked cutting edge without Sam Kerr and against another defensively resolute outfit in Nigeria, this could be another encounter where the tournament joint-hosts will need to show patience and may prove frustrated for periods of time. Both fixtures in the competition so far involving Australia and Nigeria saw under 2.5 goals scored and the same outcome has to be favoured this time round as well.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
