Olympics: Spain vs. Nigeria – prediction, team news, lineups
Spain Women will be looking to begin the Olympics with back-to-back wins when they face Nigeria Women in Nantes on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will be hoping to get off the mark after falling to a narrow defeat in their opener against Brazil.
Match preview
Spain may be competing in their first-ever Olympics, but they will have high hopes of adding a gold medal to the World Cup trophy they won last year.
La Roja, who also won the UEFA Nations League earlier this year, kicked off their gold medal bid with a narrow 2-1 victory over Japan in Nantes.
Aitana Bonmati produced a composed finish in the 22nd minute to cancel out Aoba Fujino’s early free-kick, before Mariona Caldentey netted the all-important winner in the second period.
La Roja have won 16 of their previous 19 matches in regulation time, including nine wins in their last 10 internationals.
They will be targeting more success in their final two group games against Nigeria and Brazil as continue their bid to become the fifth different winner in the women’s football event at the Olympics.
Nigeria are making their first appearance in the competition since featuring in three consecutive Olympics from 2000 to 2008.
The Super Falcons are looking to reach the knockout rounds for the second time after previously achieving the feat at the 2004 games.
However, their hopes of making a quarter-final appearance were dealt a setback in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil.
Gabi Nunes scored the decisive goal to condemn Nigeria to their first competitive defeat in regulation time since losing to Zambia in the third-place playoff at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria have conceded just two goals in their last six matches, but they may be concerned by the fact they have only scored twice in that period.
Spain Olympic Games form: W
Spain form (all competitions): WWWLWW
Nigeria Olympic Games form: L
Nigeria form (all competitions): DWWDLL
Spain vs. Nigeria odds
The bookmakers have little doubt about the outcome of this match since Spain are the expected winners by a mile, with an 87.50% win probability, compared to a meager 4.8% probability for Nigeria win.
Spain Women Odds: 1/7 – 87.50% probability
Draw Odds: 8/1 – 11.10% probability
Nigeria Women Odds: 20/1 – 4.80% probability
Since the odds on Spain are so low, you might want to check out another similar market, like Spain Women to win and lead at half time, which is priced at 4/7 odds and comes with a 63.60% probability.
Another interesting option is for Spain Women to win with a handicap (-1), which comes with 4/9 odds (69.20% probability). You can also back Spain to score three or more goals at 11/10 odds and 47.60% probability.
Team News
Spain head coach Montse Tome is likely to stick with the same lineup that started Thursday’s win over Japan.
Bonmati will be looking to continue her fine goalscoring form, having found the net in each of her last five international appearances.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or winner will operate in the middle of the park alongside her two Barcelona teammates, Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas.
As for Nigeria, Randy Waldrum is likely to keep faith with a back four of Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, and Chidinma Okeke.
Deborah Abiodun is also set to retain her place in the centre of midfield alongside Benfica’s Christy Ucheibe.
However, he could make a change in the final third, with Esther Okoronkwo in contention to start after coming off the bench at half time against Brazil.
Spain possible starting lineup: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Del Castillo, Caldentey, Paralluelo
Nigeria possible starting lineup: Nnadozie; Alozie, Demehin, Ohale, Okeke; Abiodun, Ucheibe; T Payne, Echegini, Ajibade; Okoronkwo
We say: Spain 3-1 Nigeria
Spain will be the obvious favourites after winning nine of their last 10 matches, and we ultimately think they will showcase their extra quality to claim a comfortable win over Nigeria in Sunday's contest.
