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With the 2023 Women’s World Cup now in round 2 of the group stage the co-hosts Australia go out to try and book their place in the knockouts early when they take on Nigeria. The Matildas edged Ireland 1-0 in their first game, while Nigeria showed stubbornness when earning a 0-0 draw vs Canada. Here are our Australia women vs Nigeria predicted lineups and the latest team news.
The game is scheduled for Thursday, July 27th and will be played in Brisbane, Australia at the Brisbane Stadium. The kick-off time is 11:00 am GMT. Now, let’s delve straight in and look at all the team news and also at our predictions for Australia women vs Nigeria lineups.
Australia women predicted lineup: Are the Matildas ready to waltz their way into the knockouts?
The Matildas had problems creating chances in their first game but a converted penalty saw them edging Ireland 1-0 in front of an unseen in 24 years at FIFA Women’s World Cup crowd of 75,784 passionate supporters.
The way things stand in the group the Matildas will book their top 2 finish with another win in the coming match and this is a great motivator. Australia have made the knockouts in all of the last 4 World Cups and they will certainly be looking for another such run on home turf. That said, never in their history the Matildas have managed to start a World Cup with back-to-back wins. Can they change that now?
Team news
The influential striker Sam Kerr, arguably Australia’s best forward, is absent again. Her calf injury is expected to keep her out until the knockouts. This will likely see Arsenal’s Foord and Man City’s Fowler partnered again up front as the starting duo.
In fact, we don’t think coach Gustavsson will touch his starting lineup as there are no fresh injury issues reported.
Australia Predicted Lineups (4-4-2):
Arnold – Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley – Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Vine – Foord, Fowler
Nigeria predicted lineup: Is Shaw ready to put up a show?
The Nigerians impressed with their solid defending and work ethic when they drew 0-0 vs Canada in the first game. Even after being reduced to ten men the Nigerian women worked hard for each other and they once again proved they are tough to break.
Discipline remains an issue though with Nigeria now conceding 3 red cards in just their last 2 official matches.
The Super Falcons are undefeated in 4 matches (W3 D1) coming into the clash vs Australia. However, they lost 0-2 vs the Matildas back in the 2015 World Cup and their World Cup record is far from impressive (W1 D1 L5).
Team news
Forced change is inevitable as Abiodun, sent off in the first match, will be serving a ban. However, after being suspended for the game vs Canada now both Ayinde and Ajibade are available again. Both could start, with Ayinde a key defensive midfielder, while Ajibade is the main support from the left wing for the Barcelona forward Oshoala.
Here is how we think Nigeria will line up in this opening game.
Nigeria Predicted Lineups (4-2-3-1):
Nnadozie – Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre – Ayinde, Ucheibe – Onumonu, Payne, Ajibade – Oshoala
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