Ireland v Nigeria Prediction, Preview & Odds – Women’s World Cup 2023

We have an Ireland v Nigeria prediction and preview plus the odds for you ahead of Ireland’s last game at their first Women’s World Cup.

Ireland v Nigeria Women Match Info

Venue: Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia

When? 11.00 am, Monday the 31^st of July

What Channel? RTÉ 2 and UTV

Ireland vs Nigeria Betting Odds

Ireland Women – 11/5

Nigeria Women – 21/20

The Draw – 12/5

Nigeria are comfortable favourites at odds of 21/20 going into this third and final round of the Women’s World Cup group stage.

Ireland on the other hand are underdogs at odds of 11/5. You can back the draw at odds of 12/5.

In the match handicap betting Ireland +1 has been installed at odds of 4/6. Nigeria -1 is 3/1 while the handicap draw (+1) is 14/5.

The Form – Ireland vs Nigeria

Ireland’s Form

Coming into this tournament Ireland had been in poor form with one win, three defeats, one draw. Their sole victory in 2023 came in a 3-2 win over Zambia back in June, a side which would beat one of the tournament favourites Germany 2-3 at the beginning of July.

Irish supporters adore claiming a “moral” victory but in their first-round game against one of the tournament favourites and co-hosts Australia they put up a huge effort having nine shots to Australia’s thirteen. But had it not been for a Steph Catley penalty for a lacklustre Aussie side they would’ve gotten their first World Cup point.

It was a similar story against Canada, but it could’ve been very different with Katie McCabe scoring one of the greatest ever Irish goals at a World Cup with a goal direct from a corner inside four minutes in their second game.

Unfortunately, the Irish ladies came unstuck from a Connolly own goal in the 45^th +5 minute. Subsequently a Leon goal inside the 53^rd minute meant despite only having only three fewer shots (14) and two fewer big chances (2) they were knocked out of the World Cup with one game to play.

Straight from a corner Katie McCabe gives Ireland the lead against Canada with four minutes gone #wwc2023
📺Watch https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE

📻Listen https://t.co/QHSJNYlfx8

📱Follow https://t.co/wLYTuOnlvw pic.twitter.com/PAscA2LWRh

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 26, 2023

Nigeria Form

Coming into the tournament Nigeria had two defeats and three wins, scoring six goals and conceding three goals with many tipping them to be surprise packages in this tournament.

Randy Waldrums was appointed the head coach of Nigeria women’s national football team on October 5, 2020, only three years after turning down the role. Waldrums has 31 years of experience, including within the US College System and with Trinidad and Tobago Women.

The Nigerians qualified for the World Cup due to their fourth-place finish at the 2022 Africa Nations Cup.

True to their promise, Nigeria have been brilliant in the tournament so far, earning a respectable 0-0 draw against Canada in their opening game of the competition.

Their tournament really came alive against Australia with a dramatic 2-3 win which means a point against Ireland will mean they qualify out of the group.

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Ireland vs Nigeria Lineups

Ireland’s Predicted XI

Formation: 3-4-3

GK: Brosnan

RCB: Fahey,  CB: Quinn,  LCB: Mustaki

RM: Payne,  CM: O’Sullivan, CM: Agg  LM: McCabe

RW: Quinn, CF: Carusa, LW: Farrelly

Nigeria’s Predicted XI

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: Ninadozie

RB: Alozie, CB: Ohale, CB: Demehin LB: Plumptre

RCM: Ucheibe, CM: Payne, LCM: Alyinde

RW: Onumonu CF: Ajibade, LW: Kanu

Ireland vs Nigeria Preview

Ireland’s Tactics

Despite two defeats, Ireland’s first-ever World Cup campaign has had positive performances throughout, with perhaps their inexperience at the top level being the big thing in the way of them getting their first-ever World Cup points.

Pauw sets up her side in a 3-4-3 in-possession and a 5-4-1 out of possession. While Nigeria have been very good throughout this tournament they haven’t dominated the ball either in their Group Stage games so we may see Ireland in their 3-4-3 shape more often in this match.

With it impossible for Ireland to get out of the group now and with rumours that this could be Pauws last campaign as manager it’ll be interesting to see how she approaches the final game and whether she sticks with her “best-11” or whether she twists and gives fringe squad-players a chance for some minutes.

To be honest, as shown in my predicted team I expect there to be only 1/2 changes to start the final group game, with Mustaki maybe coming in for Connolly who won’t be happy with her performance in the last game. Agg could come in for Littlejohn who despite having an excellent tournament three games in a row may be too much for her.

Expect the likes of Larkin and Atkinson given minutes off the bench.

Nigeria’s Tactics

Nigeria will likely set themselves up in a 4-3-3 counter-attacking formation and like Ireland have not dominated the ball in their opening two matches. Expect the possession stats to be a lot more even in this one.

Nigeria needs at least a point to secure qualification for the next round, but I’d expect them to come out and attack this game from the off and not leave it down to a point.

Nigeria has a lot of attacking talent in their ranks. Uchenna Kanu (26) has seven goals in twenty matches, Barcelona forward Oshoala has thirty-one goals for her country with Ajibade a class act in the midfield. This will be a tough test for Ireland.

Ireland vs Nigeria Head-to-Head Results

This will be the first time that the Ireland WNT play Nigeria WNT.

Ireland vs Nigeria Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Ireland 1-1 Nigeria

Ireland’s last chance to grab their first-ever World Cup point, and it’s something this team deserves but they will have to go out there and do it.

Nigeria needs just a point to secure qualification until the next round, but they will be going for the win here. Think this could be a scored draw which would suit both parties.

Best Bet: Draw – Score @ 16/5

Nigeria are currently 80/1 to win this tournament and you can check out the rest of the tournament outright odds in our 2023 Women’s World Cup Odds post.

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