Preview: Australia Women vs. Nigeria Women – prediction, team news, lineups – Sports Mole
After beginning the Women’s World Cup 2023 with a victory, Australia Women will be looking to add three more points to their tally when they face Nigeria Women on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons will be hoping to claim their first win of the tournament after holding Canada to a draw in their opening game.
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Tournament co-hosts Australia got up and running with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in Sydney.
Steph Catley dispatched her 52nd-minute penalty to give her country the lead, and Australia managed to hold firm to claim a third consecutive victory without conceding.
Having won 10 of their last 11 internationals, the Matildas will be hoping to continue their fine run of form on Thursday.
Australia, who have progressed from the group stage at the last four World Cups, can secure their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare if they claim all three points.
The Matildas also be motivated by the chance to begin a World Cup campaign with consecutive victories for the first time.
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Nigeria would have been pleased with their efforts on Matchday One, as they took a point off the reigning Olympic champions Canada.
Chiamaka Nnadozie proved to be Nigeria’s hero after pulling off a fine save to deny Christine Sinclair from the penalty spot in the 50th minute.
The Super Falcons were reduced to 10 players deep into stoppage time following Deborah Abiodun‘s red card, but they held firm to clinch a crucial point.
Impressively, Nigeria have now avoided defeat in their last four matches, keeping clean sheets in three of those fixtures.
The Super Falcons will be hoping to record another positive result as they look to qualify for the knockout rounds in consecutive World Cups, but with Australia sitting 30 places above them in the FIFA World Rankings, Randy Waldrum‘s side will have to produce another battling performance to trouble the Matildas on Thursday.
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Australia are still unable to call upon their star striker Sam Kerr, who missed the tournament opener after picking up a calf injury on the eve of the tournament.
The Matildas have also revealed that Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik are ruled out after suffering mild concussions in training.
While Luik was an unused substitute against Ireland, Fowler played 85 minutes and her absence could force Gustavsson to switch from a front two to a lone striker.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will be without the services of Abiodun, who is set to serve a one-match suspension following her red card against Canada.
Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were suspended for the opening game after being sent off against Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, but the pair could be brought into the starting lineup for Thursday’s contest.
Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala represents one of Nigeria’s main goal threats, and she will be looking to add to the 17 goals that she has scored for her country.
Australia Women possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Gorry, Cooney-Cross; Raso, Van Egmond, Vine; Foord
Nigeria Women possible starting lineup:
Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre; Ayinde, Ucheibe; Onumonu, Payne, Ajibade; Oshoala
Nigeria showed in their tournament opener that they have the capability to compete with some of the best teams in the world, but we think that they will be edged out by an Australian side that will be spurred on by their home support.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
