Matildas vs Super Falcons: The Battle for Women’s World Cup Glory in 2023

Football Australia vs Nigeria: 2023 Women’s World Cup Match Preview and Prediction

By

Australia vs Nigeria Stats: Quick Hits

Australia enters the match as the favorite, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 67.3% chance of victory. They have scored the only goal in Group B so far, winning their opener against the Republic of Ireland with a penalty.

Nigeria, on the other hand, has a poor scoring record, failing to score in 17 of their 27 FIFA Women’s World Cup games, the most of any team. They will be looking to change that in this match and avoid consecutive losses.

Match Preview

Australia will be hoping for a better performance in their second match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup than their co-hosts New Zealand, who suffered a 1-0 loss to the Philippines after winning their opening game against Norway. Australia, like New Zealand, managed a 1-0 win in their first match against the Republic of Ireland.

If Australia can defeat Nigeria, it will be the first time they have won their opening two games at a Women’s World Cup. On the other hand, Nigeria will aim to avoid losing consecutive matches at a single tournament for the first time.

Nigeria had a disappointing start to the tournament, securing only a goalless draw against Canada. They had limited possession in that match, and their attacking prowess will be vital against Australia. Nigeria has struggled to score goals in the World Cup, finding the net in only one of their last seven matches.

Australia, on the other hand, has a strong track record when it comes to finding the back of the net. They have played the most games at the World Cup without ever contesting a goalless draw. Their passing accuracy was impressive in their first game, completing 80.5% of their passes.

Australia will potentially be without their captain Sam Kerr due to a calf injury, but players like Katrina Gorry and Caitlin Foord demonstrated their attacking capabilities against Ireland. For Nigeria, Ifeoma Onumonu was involved in more shots than any other Nigerian player in their match against Canada.

Australia vs Nigeria Head-to-Head

The last meeting between these two teams happened in the group stage of the 2015 World Cup in Canada. Australia emerged victorious with a 2-0 win thanks to a brace from Kyah Simon. Nigeria failed to advance from the group stage, while Australia was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Japan.

Australia has won their last three World Cup matches against African teams, although their victory over Nigeria in 2015 was the most recent. With the upper hand in head-to-head matchups, Australia will look to maintain their winning streak against African opponents.

Australia vs Nigeria Prediction

Based on the predictions of the Opta supercomputer, Australia is heavily favored to win with a 67.3% chance of victory. A draw is predicted with a likelihood of 20.6%, giving Nigeria a 32.7% chance of securing a point.

Australia’s solid performance in their opener, coupled with Nigeria’s struggles in front of goal, further supports the prediction of an Australian win. However, football can be unpredictable, and Nigeria will be motivated to prove the odds wrong.

Australia vs Nigeria Squads

Australia: Lydia Williams, Courtney Nevin, Aivi Luik, Clare Polkinghorne, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Steph Catley, Alex Chidiac, Caitlin Foord, Emily van Egmond, Mary Fowler, Teagan Micah, Tameka Yallop, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Mackenzie Arnold, Katrina Gorry, Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant, Kyra Cooney-Cross.

Nigeria: Tochukwu Oluehi, Ashleigh Plumptre, Osinachi Ohale, Glory Ogbonna, Onome Ebi, Ifeoma Onumonu, Toni Payne, Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Christy Ucheibe, Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu, Deborah Abiodun, Oluwatosin Demehin, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Francisca Ordega, Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, Rofiat Imuran, Esther Okoronkwo, Michelle Alozie, Yewande Balogun.

Both teams have talented squads, and individual performances will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match.

Conclusion

Australia enters the match as strong favorites, with a higher probability of victory according to the Opta supercomputer’s predictions. Nigeria’s lack of scoring and Australia’s solid performance in their first game further support this forecast.

However, in football, anything can happen, and Nigeria will be determined to prove the predictions wrong. It will be an exciting match to watch, with both teams looking to secure their place in the knockout stage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.