England vs Nigeria
The Lionesses and the Super Falcons are heading to Brisbane, and it should be a carnival occasion as the Women’s World Cup reaches the last 16 stage.
On paper, this will be a victory for Sarina Wiegman’s European champions, for whom so much is expected, against the nation ranked 40th in the world.
Yet one-off knockout matches are capable of causing shocks, so perhaps there are some more Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights still to come for Nigeria.
Talking Points
Certainly, Nigeria is a nation filled with excitement.
The team has reached the knockouts for just the third time in nine attempts, although a goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland meant it had to settle for a second place group place, and you could see how much it means by the way the support celebrated at the full-time whistle.
The African side drew 0-0 with Canada and was also goalless in the stalemate against Ireland. In between, however, the team shocked Australia with an enthralling 3-2 victory over the co-hosts.
Randy Waldrum’s side have some genuine stardust with five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year winner, Asisat Oshoala, the standout player. Indeed, the Barcelona striker is regarded as one of the best goalscorers in the world and has just won the Champions League with the Catalan club.
Nigeria may be underdogs but should not be taken lightly for this is a country which has qualified for every Women’s World Cup tournament, with the most successful campaign coming in 1999 as it reached the quarter-finals.
While the Super Falcons were reaching the last-16 for the second consecutive World Cup, England progressed as group winners with three wins from three, including a 6-1 thrashing of China.
Although the 1-0 victories over Haiti and Denmark were a little underwhelming, given England’s status as European Champions, they hit their stride in the 6-1 victory over China.
The winners of this match will play in the quarter-finals against either Colombia or Jamaica (ranked 26th and 51st in the world respectively). That is a real incentive for both nations in a competition which has just got serious.
History
England’s first meeting with Nigeria actually came in the FIFA Women’s World Cup of 1995, when the nations clashed in a group stage game in Karlstad, Sweden.
On that occasion, a brace from Karen Farley and a goal from Karen Walker secured a 3-2 victory for the Lionesses in their first-ever Women’s World Cup campaign.
Since then, England have hosted Nigeria in friendly internationals on home soil, losing both.
A summer friendly in Norwich in 2002 saw Nigeria run out as narrow winners as Florence Omagbemi scored the only goal for the Super Falcons.
Two years later in Reading, Nigeria ran out 3-0 winners.
A first-half goal from Rita Nwadike gave them the lead before a brace from the impressive Perpetual Nkwocha after the break condemned Hope Powell’s team to defeat.
Betting Tip
England are massive favourites as reflected in the SBOTOP Women’s World Cup 2023 betting odds of 1X2 @ 1.28 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.21.
Nigeria are well adrift both 1X2 @ 7.60 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.14. The draw is on offer @ 4.80.
Another 3-2 success for England at this level will pay out at a whopping @ 70.00 with Correct Score, whereas a repeat of the last time they met 18 years ago, will earn you a payday to remember – Correct Score England 0-3 Nigeria is available @ 165.00. Nigeria will put up a fight, but I think the European champions will prevail in what would be a likely high-scoring affair.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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