The race for the Women’s World Cup is wide open — and the action gets underway in the so-called Group of Death on Thursday as Canada and Nigeria collide in Melbourne.
The Canadians arrive as Olympic champions and with high expectations for a deep run in what is likely to be national treasure Christine Sinclair’s sixth and final World Cup.
While Nigeria are ranked 40th in the world, they’re no strangers to the World Cup stage. They’ve never missed a tournament and — even as major underdogs — bring enough star power to test Canada here.
Read on for our free Canada vs. Nigeria betting picks ahead of this Thursday, July 20 showdown.
Canada vs Nigeria odds
Canada
NigeriaOdds courtesy of FanDuel as of July 19, 2023.
Canada vs Nigeria picks and predictions
Neither of these teams will feel great about their results over the past 18 months. Canada are fresh off an underwhelming performance in the SheBelieves Cup in May which included losses to the USWNT and Japan. Nigeria were 0-1-7 in 2022 against teams that reached the World Cup and their recent three-game win streak came against weaker opponents.
However, the World Cup is a chance to push all of that aside, and I see this being an intriguing clash of styles. While the likeliest game script is for Canada to dominate possession and Nigeria to wait for counter-attacking opportunities, I expect scoring chances at both ends.
The Canadians are well set defensively with the pairing of Kadeisha Buchanan and Vanessa Gilles but Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, who plays her club soccer for Barcelona, is a proven scorer capable of cashing in on any openings.
When these teams met in a friendly in April 2022, they served up an exciting 2-2 draw, despite Canada having 71% of the ball. In short, the Super Falcons will not be overawed.
I’m grabbing these BTTS odds and counting on Nigeria to play their part in this opening contest.
My best bet: Both teams to score (-112 at FanDuel)
Canada vs Nigeria same-game parlay
Both teams to score (-112)
Asisat Oshoala anytime goalscorer (+400)
Half-time result: Draw (+160)
To pump up the odds with an SGP, I’m looking for Oshoala to have a big night. She’s the likeliest Nigeria player to break through the Canada back line, and the Super Falcons’ pace and movement shouldn’t be underestimated.
The nerves of a World Cup opener, combined with the physicality that both teams bring, should contribute to a cagey start, especially with so little room for error in a tight Group B, where Australia and the Republic of Ireland are also vying for a place in the knockout rounds.
With that in mind, I’m giving the SGP a bump by adding odds for the game to be a draw at half-time.
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Canada vs Nigeria spread and Over/Under analysis
Canada are ranked seventh in the world but probably belong slightly higher up the list of 2023 World Cup contenders.
With a strong, deep squad, Bev Priestman’s team are big favorites to start the tournament with a win in Melbourne, and I’m not overly concerned by the Canadians’ lackluster results this summer. The big stage should nudge them into better form, and Jessie Fleming stands out as an X-factor in midfield.
You can find odds as high as +800 for Nigeria to land an upset and snatch the three points, but with the Super Falcons reportedly dealing with off-field pay concerns, it’s worth questioning whether that’ll be a distraction or a galvanizing force for the dressing room.
Still, the pedigree is there — they’ve won 11 of the 15 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and know their way around these competitions.
As the players settle into the World Cup atmosphere, I prefer the BTTS prop rather than the Over/Under here, but I’d lean slightly towards the Over on 2.5 goals, which has hit in both teams’ last two games.
The Canadian attack is dangerous but weakened by the absence of Janine Beckie, who was ruled out of the tournament with an ACL injury.
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Canada vs Nigeria game info
| Location: | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia |
| Date: | Thursday, July 20, 2023 |
| Time: | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX, TSN |
Canada vs Nigeria weather
Cool, partly cloudy conditions await the players in Melbourne, with temperatures in the low-50s and no sign of rain.
Canada vs Nigeria key injuries
Canada: Deanne Rose F (Probable), Nichelle Prince F (Probable).
Nigeria: No injuries to report.
