Olympics: Japan vs. Nigeria – prediction, team news, lineups

Japan Women and Nigeria Women will both be targeting a place in the Olympic quarter-finals when they face off at the Stade de La Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau on Wednesday.

After two rounds of matches, Japan are sitting in second place in Group C with three points to their name, while Nigeria are propping up the standings after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Match preview

Japan began their bid to win their first Olympic medal since London 2012 with a narrow 2-1 defeat to world champions Spain, leaving them on the backfoot ahead of their second group match against Brazil.

Futoshi Ikeda's side looked to be heading towards another defeat when Mina Tanaka's penalty miss in first-half stoppage time was followed by a Brazilian opener in the 56th minute.

However, Japan showed great character to pull off a dramatic turnaround, with Saki Kumagai netting a 92nd-minute penalty before substitute Momoko Tanikawa scored a sublime long-range winner.

As a result of that victory, they moved into second place and above Brazil on goals scored, leaving them three points adrift of Spain and three points ahead of Nigeria.

Having featured in the knockout rounds in their last four Olympic appearances, Japan are hoping they can produce a strong performance against Nigeria to avoid their first group-stage exit since 1996.

Nigeria have experienced a disappointing start to their first Olympic campaign since 2008, having fallen just short in both of their first two matches in France.

After losing 1-0 to Brazil in their opener, the Super Falcons looked set to pick up a hard-earned point in Sunday's clash with Spain, only for Alexia Putellas to score an 85th-minute free-kick to snatch all three points.

Nigeria will be concerned with the fact they have now failed to score in three consecutive internationals, which is something they will need to change if they are to have any hope of progressing to the knockout rounds for the first time since the 2004 Olympics.

Although they are three points adrift of Brazil and Japan, Nigeria know that a win will give them a chance of securing second position or one of the best third-placed spots.

The Super Falcons may be able to draw inspiration from the fact they claimed a narrow 1-0 win in their only previous meeting with Japan at the 2004 Olympics in Greece.

Japan Olympic Games form: LW

Japan form (all competitions): DWWWLW

Nigeria Olympic Games form: LL

Nigeria form (all competitions): DWWDLL

Japan vs. Nigeria odds

A win in the last round of group stages would almost certainly put Japan Women in the next stage and they are the expected winners in this game with a 67.70% win probability, while Nigerian Women have a win probability of just 12.50%.

Japan Women Odds: 10/21 – 67.70% probability

Draw Odds: 18/5 – 21.70% probability

Nigeria Women Odds: 7/1 – 12.50% probability

So, if you believe in Japan, you might want to consider backing them to win after leading at half-time too, which is priced at 6/5 and has a 45.50% probability. Another option is to back Japan to win with a handicap (-1) at 5/4 odds and a 44.40% probability.

When it comes to goals markets, over 2.5 total goals is priced at 17/20 (54.10% probability) and under 2.5 total goals comes with even odds and 50.00% probability.

Team News

Japan defender Risa Shimizu has been ruled out of the Olympics after she sustained a knee injury in the first-group match against Spain.

Tanikawa may be considered for a starting spot following her impressive display as a match-winning substitute in the victory over Brazil.

West Ham United’s Riko Ueki is also in contention to start after she came off the bench to play over 30 minutes on Sunday.

As for Nigeria, Randy Waldrum could be tempted to stick with the same side that produced a strong display in the narrow defeat to Spain.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie will be shielded by a back four of Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin and Chidinma Okeke.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Esther Okoronkwo is set to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the line for her country.

Japan possible starting lineup: Yamashita; Moriya, Takahashi, Kumagai, Minami, Koga; Hasegawa, Nagano, Tanikawa; Ueki, Tanaka

Nigeria possible starting lineup: Nnadozie; Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Okeke; Ucheibe, Abiodun; T Payne, Oshoala, Ajibade; Okoronkwo

We say: Japan 2-0 Nigeria

After staging a late turnaround against Brazil, Japan will carry significant momentum into Wednesday's contest, and we think they will build upon that result by beating a Nigeria side who are struggling to find their best form in the final third.