England vs Nigeria prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for 2023 Women's World Cup Round of 16

Kyle Bonn

England vs Nigeria prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for 2023 Women's World Cup Round of 16 image

Having completed a near-perfect group-stage showing, England now look towards more ambitious goals as they meet Nigeria in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

The Lionesses picked up the maximum nine points from group-stage play, and while the first two results came via tense 1-0 scorelines, they blasted China 6-1 to conclude the first phase of play, putting forth a truly dominant 270-minute resume upon which to build their title hopes.

Nigeria, meanwhile, secured a pair of scoreless draws to start and finish their group, sandwiched by the key result — a 3-2 victory over Australia on the Matildas' home turf. It was Nigeria's trademark attacking unit that secured the vital three points, but they also proved their defensive capabilities against Canada and Republic of Ireland.

This side of the bracket has fallen beautifully for England: of the seven other top-12 ranked nations remaining in the tournament, only France are in their half of the draw. If the Lionesses are going to make a deep run at a World Cup, now is the time to do it.

England vs Nigeria match facts

  • Date: Monday, August 7
  • Kickoff Time: 3:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. BST / 5:30 p.m. AEST
  • Location: Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane, Australia)
  • Official: Melissa Borjas (ARG)
  • Last meeting: England 0-3 Nigeria (April 2004 | Friendly)

England vs Nigeria prediction, odds

  • Moneyline lean: England (-350)
  • Score prediction: England 2-0 Nigeria

England are simply too strong for this Nigeria side. While it's a lot to ask the Lionesses to pour on the goals like they did against China, they should have enough to repeat similar performances from earlier in the group stage, where they ground out wins against Haiti and Denmark.

The victory over the latter was textbook and something to use as a model for how to approach this match. England grabbed an early goal six minutes in, and while they pushed for a second throughout, they killed time on the ball and didn't put themselves under needless pressure. All told, they escaped with a 1-0 win, out-passing Denmark 508-153, but producing just 13 shots and no "big chances".

Even if England don't get that early goal to relieve pressure, they are not a side that panics easily, and a scoreless game heading into the final 15 minutes won't trouble them as it would other teams.

  England win
(90 mins)
Draw
(90 mins)
Nigeria win
(90 mins)
Both teams
to score Y / N
Over / Under
2.5 goals
England
advance
Nigeria
advance
BetMGM
(USA)
-350 +425 +950 +150 / -210 -120 / -120 -900 +500
Sports
Interaction

(Canada)
-357 +370 +860 +142 / -227 -109 / -127 -909 +440
Top betting sites
(UK)
2/7 19/5 19/2 6/4, 1/2 10/11, 4/5 1/10 11/2
Unibet
(Australia)
1.28 5.70 10.50 2.75 / 1.43 1.91 / 1.85 1.10 6.00
Dafabet
(India)
1.33 5.40 11.00 2.60 / 1.50 1.96 / 1.86 1.14 6.20

    England vs Nigeria: best bet

    • Pick: England to win to nil
    • Odds: -130 (BetMGM)

    These odds are rough, as a clean sheet against any side is a difficult task, but England have managed to keep a lid on matches, especially ones still in doubt. They conceded to China with the game already in hand, but they held Denmark and Haiti to just 13 combined shots and four on target as both games finished 1-0.

    With midfield engine Keira Walsh still likely out, it's hard to know which version of the England attack will come to play, but they will likely hold Nigeria in check throughout the game.

    Indeed, the African side was blanked by both Canada and Republic of Ireland, with their best attacking threats Asisat Oshoala and Ifeoma Onumonu stifled throughout. Those two managed to combine for just one single shot on target across those two matches, and if England keep a lid on their influence in the final third, it will be a long day for Nigeria.

    England vs Nigeria prop bet

    • Pick: Lauren James to score or assist a goal
    • Odds: +105 (FanDuel)

    The England left-winger has put forth the most goal contributions of anyone at the Women's World Cup thus far, with three goals and and three assists. She's playing out of her mind in the final third, picking her spots extremely well. James has her six goal contributions on just five total shots and three total key passes, meaning she's not peppering the opponent with volume but instead finding the best openings possible.

    James is profiting from the fact that attacking-minded full-back Rachel Daly plays on her side, and the presence of Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp up front also causes defenders to shade in other directions.

    The 21-year-old still hasn't become a true regular for Chelsea, and thus she was somewhat unheralded coming into the tournament amongst a squad bursting with attacking talent, but amidst a few injuries to key England forwards, James has become a vital piece of this Women's World Cup squad.

    England vs Nigeria live stream, TV channel

      TV channel Streaming
    USA FS1, Telemundo Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock (Spanish), Telemundo Deportes site/app
    UK BBC One BBC app/website
    Australia  — Optus Sport
    Canada TSN1, TSN4, RDS TSN+, TSN site/app, RDS site/app, Fubo
    India DD Sports FanCode
    New Zealand Sky Sport 1 NZ Prime TV, Sky Sport NOW
    Singapore FIFA WWC CH01 StarHub TV+, meWATCH
    Hong Kong Now TV Viu TV
    Malaysia  — FIFA+

    Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand. 

    Kyle Bonn

    Kyle Bonn Photo

    Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.