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Canada will look to duplicate their Olympic success as they open Group B play against Nigeria on Thursday as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup begins play. Canada, who won the gold medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, will look for their best finish in the FIFA Women’s World Cup since reaching the quarterfinals in 2015. Nigeria, meanwhile, reached the Round of 16 in 2019, where they lost 3-0 to Germany. Their best showing at a Women’s World Cup was in 1999 when they lost to Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Caesars Sportsbook lists Canada as the -280 favorites (risk $280 to win $100) in its latest Nigeria vs. Canada odds, with Nigeria the +900 underdogs. A draw is priced at +320, and the over/under for total goals scored is 2.5. Before locking in any Canada vs. Nigeria picks, 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 (-145), Canada -1.5 (+115)Nigeria vs. Canada over/under: 2.5 goalsNigeria vs. Canada money line: Nigeria +900, Canada -280, Draw +320NGR: Nigeria’s best finish at a World Cup was seventh in 1999CAN: Canada are ranked sixth in the world entering the tournamentNigeria vs. Canada picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back Canada
The Canadians boast lots of firepower in their lineup to go along with experience. They have eight players who have scored at least 10 goals in international competitions and played in 64 or more matches. Leading the way is 40-year-old Christine Sinclair, who refuses to slow down. The forward has 190 goals in 323 career international matches. Sinclair has been a member of the Portland Thorns FC in the National Women’s Soccer League since 2013, compiling 66 goals in 164 appearances.
Also helping power Canada is midfielder Sophie Schmidt. The 35-year-old is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist (2012, 2016) and a gold medalist in 2020. She has appeared in 221 international matches, scoring 20 goals. She has been a member of the Houston Dash of the NWSL since 2019, scoring six goals in 70 appearances. She also played three seasons for FFC Frankfurt of Bundesliga. See which team to pick here.
Why you should back Nigeria
The Nigerians boast a young lineup with just four players over 29. Among the team’s leaders is American-born Ifeoma Onumonu. The 29-year-old plays forward for Gotham FC of NWSL, and since joining the side in 2020, has registered eight goals in 24 appearances. She has scored a pair of goals representing Nigeria since 2021.
Also helping power the offense will be 28-year-old forward Asisat Oshoala, who plays for FC Barcelona in Spanish Liga F. Oshoala is among the side’s leading goal scorers with 29 career goals for Nigeria in international play since 2013. In 2014, playing for the Nigeria U20 team, she scored seven times. As a professional, she has also been prolific when it comes to finding the back of the net, adding 83 goals in 89 appearances for Barcelona since the 2019 season. 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.