Nigeria W vs Canada W prediction: WORLD: World Cup Women betting tips on match 2023-07-20 02:30.
As the lowest-ranked nation in Group B of the Women’s World Cup (WWC),Nigeria are up against it in their quest to make back-to-back knockout phase appearances at WWC tournaments following their Round of 16 elimination back in 2019. Their preparation for this event has been shrouded in turmoil, with recent threats of a tournament boycott over unpaid bonuses and accusations from head coach Randy Waldrum of the FA attempting to interfere in squad selection.
Given those circumstances, Nigeria have done well to put together a three-game winning run ahead of this tournament, putting their preceding seven-game losing run to bed in the process. Continuing that upwards trajectory here is far from guaranteed, with Nigeria last defeating upcoming opponents Canada more than a decade ago in 2011, going on to concede exactly twice in each of the three H2H encounters since (D1, L2).
Unlike Nigeria, FIFA’s #7-ranked nation Canada are the favourites to win the group and they’re known for being a much more well-oiled machine. In fact, midfield duo Jessie Fleming and Sophie Schmidt enter the tournament with 336 caps between them, a statistic which serves to highlight the clear vision for a side looking to make their first WWC final.
In stark contrast to Nigeria’s form, Canada have followed up a run of five straight wins with four defeats from five games ahead of the tournament (W1). Despite an abundance of quality within the squad, there have also been existential problems off the field for Canada’s national team this year, with player strikes over pay equality earlier this year and the overarching threat of the national FA potentially filing for bankruptcy, issues which must temporarily be put to one side.
Players to watch: Whilst Nigeria’s hopes rest largely on the shoulders of Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala after a 21-goal league campaign, Tenerife’s 21 year-old Gift Monday could provide an alternative outlet to Oshoala if they’re to find success, with Monday notching four goal contributions across her last five games (G3, A1). Almost twice her age is the evergreen Christine Sinclair, the 40-year old Canadian forward who is set to play her sixth WWC after scoring in each of her first five.
Hot stat: All but one of Nigeria’s internationals during 2023 were 1-0 either way at half-time (HT: W3, D1, L1).