Ireland W vs Nigeria W prediction: WORLD: World Cup Women betting tips on match 2023-07-30 10:00.
The Republic of Ireland are now unable to progress to the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) knockout phase after losing their first two matches on tournament debut, but captain Katie McCabe was full of praise for her Girls in Green. The Arsenal star did go on to say that now it was “about pushing on” following the defeats to Australia and Canada, with this game against Nigeria a final opportunity to get points on the board in Group B.
This is certainly a golden era for Irish women’s football, a sentiment backed up by their current all-time high ranking 22nd in the world, but Vera Pauw’s side have endured a difficult 2023, winning just one of their seven matches so far this calendar year (D1, L5). That sole victory, which came against fellow WWC debutants Zambia, was also one of only two matches in which they have scored in that time, suggesting a lack of potency up front is behind their woes.
In stark contrast, Nigeria have something tangible to play for, with the Super Falcons currently sitting top of the group on goal difference after coming from behind to beat co-hosts Australia 3-2. They now have the opportunity to replicate their performance of the 2019 edition and reach the last 16, while going one better than that would match their best finish of 1999 when they reached the quarter-finals.
Randy Waldrum’s charges have experienced a significant turnaround recently, losing six in a row before going on to win four of their last five matches (D1). That run includes a 3-0 WWC warm-up victory against tournament co-hosts New Zealand, and a resolute display in a 0-0 draw against the higher ranked Canada in their group opener, so confidence is bound to be high in the Super Falcons’ camp.
Players to watch: Katie McCabe is Ireland’s highest active scorer for the men’s or women’s teams with 19 international goals and seemingly represents her country’s best chance of conjuring up some magic. Nigeria’s strength lies in their variety of attacking threats; their last six goals have all been scored by different players. Asisat Oshoala is a constant menace though and has two goals in her last four matches for Nigeria, while she also netted 21 times for Barcelona last term in the Catalans’ successful Liga F title defence.
Hot stat: Nigeria have won four of the five WWC games in which they’ve scored the opening goal (L1).