2023 Women’s World Cup: England vs. Nigeria odds, picks and predictions

In the Round of 16, England battles Nigeria Monday. Kickoff from Suncorp Stadium is set for 3:30 a.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the England vs. Nigeria odds, and make our best Women’s World Cup bets, picks and predictions.

England has a strong group stage showing, taking down Haiti and Denmark both 1-0 and then capping it off with a 6-1 win over China. It finished atop Group D, having scored 8 goals and allowed 1. It was just one of 3 teams to win all 3 matches. England sits 4th in the world per FIFA Women’s Rankings. F Lauren James led the team with 3 group stage goals.

Nigeria wasn’t quite as impressive, but it did enough to pull off an unlikely advance, sending home two top-25 nations, Canada and Ireland. Nigeria beat Australia, which won the group, 3-2. It had 0-0 draws in both of its other matches. Nigeria might have been an underdog in both matches against Ireland and Canada, but it left having tallied 10+ shots. It ranks 40th in the world.

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England vs. Nigeria odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 10:45 a.m. ET.

• Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -110 | U: -125)

England vs. Nigeria picks and predictions

Prediction

England 2, Nigeria 0

PASS.

There’s just no value here. The books heavily juiced BOTH TEAMS NOT TO SCORE, currently at (-225), likely meaning they do not expect Nigeria to get on the board.

England has scored in every game during the World Cup and destroyed top-15 China in its last group stage match. Expect a rout here, but don’t place a moneyline wager as England (-300) is far too expensive.

BET UNDER 2.5 (-125).

Nigeria has a strong defense, and although it was dominated in possession by both Ireland and Canada, it still found a way to hold the two nations scoreless. Ireland was limited to just 1 shot on goal despite being ranked 22nd in the world.

Nigeria has allowed 2 goals through 3 matches and allowed a combined 4 shots on goal against Canada and Ireland. I expect England to come out on top, but it had just 2 goals in its group stage matches aside from the 6-1 thrashing of China.

Nigeria’s defense is its strength while England’s offense has struggled despite its continued winning. Ultimately, take UNDER 2.5 (-125).

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