Nigeria will look to stun Group B favorite Canada when the sides open their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup play on Thursday in Melbourne, Australia. Nigeria, which defeated Canada 1-0 in the 2011 group stage, are on a three-match winning streak. The Nigerians will also be looking to better their Round of 16 finish from 2019. Canada, meanwhile, were the 2020 Summer Olympic gold medalists in Tokyo, after placing 11th overall at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.
The match from Melbourne Rectangular Stadium kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET. Canada are the -265 favorites (risk $265 to win $100) in Caesars Sportsbook's latest Nigeria vs. Canada odds, with Nigeria at +850. A draw is priced at +305, and the over/under for total goals scored is 2.5. Before locking in any Canada vs. Nigeria picks or Women's World Cup 2023 predictions, you need to see what SportsLine's Martin Green has to say.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since last year's World Cup, Green has been profitable in multiple areas on his soccer picks, including the Champions League (+4.78 units), the FA Cup (+3.07), the EFL Cup (+3.64), Euro 2024 qualifiers (+3.01) and the Europa League (+1.60). Anyone who follows him is way up.
Now, Green has taken a close look at the Nigeria vs. Canada match and locked in his Women's World Cup predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for Canada vs. Nigeria:
- Nigeria vs. Canada spread: Nigeria +1.5 (-160), Canada -1.5 (+125)
- Nigeria vs. Canada over/under: 2.5 goals
- Nigeria vs. Canada money line: Nigeria +850, Canada -265, Draw +305
- NGR: Nigeria's best finish at a World Cup was seventh in 1999
- CAN: Canada are ranked sixth in the world entering the tournament
- Nigeria vs. Canada picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back Canada
Forward Adriana Leon helps give the Canadian offense a boost. She is among the team's leaders with 28 goals in 96 career international matches. The 30-year-old, who plays for the Portland Thorns of the NWSL on loan from Manchester United, has 30 career goals in 169 professional appearances. She began her career in 2013 for the Boston Breakers of the NWSL.
Midfielder Jessie Fleming has also seen lots of action for Canada. The 25-year-old has appeared in 115 career matches and has 19 goals on her ledger. She has played the last three seasons for Chelsea of the Women's Super League in England. In 55 appearances, she has scored nine league goals, and including tournament appearances for Chelsea, she has 11 goals in 98 matches. See which team to pick here.
Why you should back Nigeria
Forward Desire Oparanozie is among Nigeria's offensive weapons. She scored in the side's last friendly before the competition, a 3-0 win over New Zealand. In 35 appearances representing Nigeria since 2010, the 29-year-old has found the net 22 times. She has been part of four African Women's Championship teams and scored critical goals in both the 2014 and 2016 finals. A member of Dijon in France from 2020 to 2022, she scored seven goals in 25 matches.
Forward Rasheedat Ajibade, 23, also brings firepower to the Nigerian side. Since 2018, she has four goals in 19 appearances for Nigeria and has had a solid senior career. Ajibade, who has played for Atletico Madrid in Spanish Liga F since 2021, has 16 goals in 54 matches. Prior to that, she was a member of Avaldnes in Norway, scoring 12 goals in 39 appearances in a two-year span. See which team to pick here.
How to make Nigeria vs. Canada Women's World Cup picks
Green has broken down the Women's World Cup match from every angle. He is leaning Over on the goal total, and has identified three confident picks for Canada vs. Nigeria. He's only sharing his 2023 Women's World Cup picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Nigeria vs. Canada on Thursday, and where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bet for Canada vs. Nigeria, all from the expert who has been profitable since last year's World Cup, and find out.
