Australia head into their second group match against Nigeria knowing a win would almost guarantee them a spot in the Round of 16 at the Women's World Cup.
However, they have been struck by an injury crisis, with superstar captain Sam Kerr out for the match, and her replacement Mary Fowler also missing due to concussion.
There are still strong expectations on the Matildas as they gear up for the game in front of a sold-out crowd at Brisbane Stadium.
Nigeria will be hoping to cause an upset after they held Canada to a 0-0 draw in their opening match of the tournament.
MORE: Live Blog: Australia vs Nigeria
What time is Australia vs Nigeria
The Australia vs. Nigeria Group B clash begins at 8:00 p.m. local time at Brisbane Stadium.
- Date: Thursday, July 27
- Time: 8:00 p.m. AEST (6:00 a.m. ET)
The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. in Adelaide, and 6:00 p.m. in Perth.
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Thurs, July 27 | 6:00 a.m. ET |
| Canada | Thurs, July 27 | 6:00 a.m. ET |
| UK | Thurs, July 27 | 11:00 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Thurs, July 27 | 8:00 p.m. AEST |
| India | Thurs, July 27 | 3:30 p.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Thurs, July 27 | 6:00 p.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Thurs, July 27 | 6:00 p.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Thurs, July 27 | 6:00 p.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Thurs, July 27 | 10:00 p.m. NZST |
MORE: Sam Kerr injury update
Australia vs Nigeria TV channel, live stream
Like all of the Matildas' matches at the tournament, the game will be available on free-to-air television on Channel 7 and its streaming platform 7Plus in Australia.
It will also be broadcast around the world through multiple TV and streaming options.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FS1, NBC Universo | Fubo, Universo NOW, FOX Sports App, Peacock |
| UK | BBC Two | BBC iPlayer |
| Australia | Channel 7 | Optus Sport, 7Plus |
| Canada | TSN3, TSN4, TSN5 | TSN+, RDS App |
| Hong Kong | NOW Sports Prime | — |
| India | DD Sports | Fancode |
| Malaysia | — | FIFA Plus |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 1 | Sky Sport NOW, Sky GO NZ |
| Singapore | — | meWATCH, FIFA WWC CH01 |
MORE: Group B standings, schedule, results
Australia vs Nigeria lineups
Australia will once again be without Sam Kerr but will also have to replace Mary Fowler; this could see a change in shape where Caitlin Foord plays as the lone striker, with either Emily van Egmond or Alex Chidiac playing just behind her.
Australia projected starting lineup (4-4-1-1): Arnold (GK) — Carpenter, Kennedy, Hunt, Catley — Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Vine — Van Egmond — Foord.
Nigeria will have to face Australia without midfielder Deborah Abiodun, who was sent off for a strong tackle in the Canada match, with Onyi Echegini looking the most likely to replace her.
Nigeria projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Nnadozie (GK) — Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre — Uchiebe, Echegini — Ordega, Payne, Onumonu — Oshoala
Australia vs Nigeria betting odds
Despite Australia's injury list, the co-hosts are still expected to come away with victory in Brisbane.
The attacking players missing for the Matildas does mean bookmakers are predicting a low-scoring affair, with short-priced odds for the match to have fewer than 2.5 goals.
| Australia win | Draw | Nigeria win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | -250 | +340 | +675 | +135 / -192 | +100 / -138 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | 1.40 | 4.00 | 7.20 | 2.26 / 1.50 | 2.05 / 1.69 |
| SkyBet (UK) | 2/5 | 16/5 | 7/1 | 11/8 / 8/15 | 11/10 , 4/6 |
| Unibet (Australia) | 1.44 | 4.60 | 7.10 | 2.40 / 1.52 | 2.08 / 1.71 |
| Dafabet (India) | 1.38 | 4.10 | 7.70 | 2.35 / 1.53 | 2.00 / 1.72 |
Odds as of July 26
