FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Australia vs Nigeria Match Preview, Team News, Possible Lineups, and Fantasy football prediction

Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane will host Australia vs Nigeria match on Thursday. Australia Women will be looking to add three more points to their tally against Nigeria Women on Monday after beginning the Women's World Cup 2023 with a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland. Steph Catley scored a 52nd-minute penalty to give her country the lead, and it was enough for them to claim a third consecutive victory without conceding. The Matildas are carrying a stat of winning 10 of their last 11 internationals. They will like to secure their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare by defeating Nigeria tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Super Falcons will be hoping to claim their first win of the tournament after playing a draw with Canada in their opening game. Nigeria pleased their fans with the efforts on Matchday One especially after being reduced to 10 players. Chiamaka Nnadozie became a sensation overnight after pulling off a fine save to deny Christine Sinclair from the penalty spot in the 50th minute. Winning against Australia will not be an easy job but Nigeria can do wonders on Thursday.

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FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Australia vs Nigeria Match Preview

Match Details

• Match: Australia vs Nigeria
• Kickoff time & Date: 27/07/2023 | 3:30 P.M. (IST)
• Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Australia)
• Where to watch: Fancode (India) and DD Sports

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Australia vs Nigeria | Team News

Australia:

It's not confirmed but most likely the Australia star Sam Kerr will miss the important game against Nigeria. She missed the tournament opener after picking up a calf injury on the eve of the tournament. Australia boss Tony Gustavsson would like to name an unchanged lineup for Matchday Two. Catlin Foord is likely to resume her forward partnership with youngster Mary Fowler.

Australia could represent a bigger challenge, with having home support behind them. They need that as their threat has been reduced somewhere by Same Kerr's absence. She is pivotal and may be the most important part of the team and it won't be an easy game for Australia either. They can surprise the fans with 3-4 goals but the chances are still very low. It is going to be a tough game in Brisbane.

Nigeria:

Nigeria will be without the services of Abiodun. She will 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. 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 some more to the 17 goals that she has scored for her country.

Nigerian fans had a belief, a hope of securing the group stage but it isn't easy. They put up a very tough fight against Canada on the opening day and earned a point. The Super Falcons deserved it and if they register a point or all three points, we shouldn't be surprised. They have the ability and the mentality to produce that kind of magic. Ireland are out of the race and Canada are sitting on the top with 4 points. Group B has opened and tomorrow's match will be an exciting watch.

Australia vs Nigeria | Head-to-Head record

This will be the second meeting between Australia and Nigeria. They were also in the same group in the 2015 World Cup when Australia claimed a routine 2-0 win. Nigeria have failed to score in six of their last seven games (five losses). Australia is coming with 10 victories in their last 11 games. Chiamaka Nnadozie has kept a clean sheet in seven of her last 11 games for club and country. Australia are the favourites but on a given day, anything can happen.

Possible Lineups

Australia Women's possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Vine; Foord, Fowler

Nigeria Women's possible starting lineup:

Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre; Ayinde, Ucheibe; Onumonu, Payne, Ajibade; Oshoala