Nigeria Women vs. Brazil Women – prediction, team news, lineups
Nigeria Women and Brazil Women will both be targeting three points when they face off at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique in Thursday’s Olympic clash.
The Super Falcons are competing at the Olympics for the fourth time, while Brazil are set to make their eighth appearance at the tournament.
Match preview
Nigeria produced an impressive performance at the 2023 World Cup, collecting five points from their three group games to advance to the last 16 ahead of reigning Olympic champions Canada.
The Super Falcons then ran England close in the last 16 before they ultimately fell short in the subsequent penalty shootout.
They are now looking forward to another important competition after they successfully navigated their way through three rounds of qualifying.
Nigeria claimed a 5-1 win over Ethiopia over two legs, before they recorded 1-0 aggregate wins over Cameroon and South Africa to return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
Having been drawn in a group alongside Brazil, Japan and Spain, the Super Falcons have their work cut out to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time since the 2004 Olympics in Greece.
In contrast to their opponents, Brazil experienced a forgettable World Cup campaign after they went out in the group stage with four points to their name.
The South Americans have changed their head coach since the 2023 World Cup, appointing Arthur Elias as Pia Sundhage’s successor.
Elias will be dreaming of leading his country to their first-ever gold medal in the women’s football event at the Olympics.
Brazil previously won the silver in 2004 and 2008 and finished in fourth place in 1996, 2000 and their home Olympics in 2016.
Before they can look too far ahead, Brazil will be looking to maintain their 100% record of progressing from the Olympic group stage.
Nigeria Women form (all competitions): WDWWDL
Brazil Women form (all competitions): WLLWWW
Nigeria Women vs. Brazil Women odds
We can see from the odds that Brazil Women are the expected winners here, with a 64.50% win probability. On the other hand, Nigeria Women have a win probability of just 16.70%.
Nigeria Women Odds: 5/1 – 16.70% probability
Draw Odds: 17/5 – 22.70% probability
Brazil Women Odds: 11/20 – 64.50% probability
So, if you agree with the bookies and expect Brazil to win, you might want to bet on Brazil to win by two or more goals, which comes with much higher odds — 6/4 (40% probability).
Meanwhile, if we look at the basic goal markets, we can see that the odds for over 2.5 total goals are 3/4, which implies a 57.10% probability. On the other hand, under 2.5 total goals is priced at 11/10, which is the same as a 47.60% probability.
Team News
Nigeria boss Randy Waldrum has named Gift Monday, Jumoke Alani, Regina Otu and Morufa Ademola as his four alternate options.
Waldrum’s main 18-player squad contains a number of talented attackers, including Rasheedat Ajibade, Jennifer Echegini and Asisat Oshoala.
As for Brazil, Elias opted to leave out Kansas City Current’s Debinha, who was part of the squad at the 2023 World Cup.
However, there is a place for the country’s all-time record scorer Marta, with the experienced forward set to take part in her final major international competition.
Nigeria Women possible starting lineup: Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Okeke; Okoronkwo, Ucheibe, Kanu, T Payne, Ajibade; Oshoala
Brazil Women possible starting lineup: Lorena; Antonia, Thais, Rafaelle Souza, Tamires; Marta, Yaya, Duda; Ludmila, Adriana, Cristiane
We say: Nigeria Women 1-2 Brazil Women
Nigeria proved they can compete with the world's best teams at the 2023 World Cup, but we think they may fall just short against a Brazil squad that will be determined to make up for last year's group-stage exit.
