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

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

In a Group B matchup, Ireland (0-2-0 / W-L-D) and Nigeria (1-0-1) meet Monday in the 2023 Women’s World Cup at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 a.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Ireland vs. Nigeria odds, and make our best Women’s World Cup bets, picks and predictions.

With no points in the 1st 2 matches, the Republic of Ireland cannot advance out of the group stages, but it can affect Nigeria and its bid for the Round of 16. It’s been an ugly tourney so far for Ireland, falling 1-0 to host Australia, while Canada doubled it up 2-1 on Wednesday.

Katie McCabe scored at 4′ to give the Girls in Green the first lead of the tournament, and she was, in fact, the first Irishwoman to ever score in the World Cup.

Nigeria can win Group B with a victory in this 1st-ever meeting between the 2 nations. A 3-2 victory over Australia has the Super Falcons in tremendous shape to advance to the Round of 16 with a win or a draw.

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Ireland vs. Nigeria odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 5:25 p.m. ET.

Ireland vs. Nigeria picks and predictions

Prediction

Nigeria 2, Ireland 1

NIGERIA (+120) entered this tournament simply looking to advance to the knockout stages, but it now controls its own destiny and can win Group B.

Win or lose, Ireland (+210) is going home after this match, and it remains to be seen how interested it will be in simply playing spoiler against a nation it has no history against.

OVER 2.5 GOALS (-115) might be the best play on the board.

Ireland has nothing to lose, and could be going all out trying to end its World Cup on a positive note. We’ll see how it comes out early on.

Nigeria is playing to win the group, and will be running wild trying to put itself into the best position. Neither side is particularly gifted in the defensive end. We saw a total of 5 goals in Nigeria’s win over Australia last time out, while Ireland cashed the Over 2.5 goals last time out in a 2-1 setback to Canada.

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