Nigeria vs Saudi Arabia: Preview, Betting Tips, Team News, Possible Lineups
Nigeria are set to face Saudi Arabia in an exciting international friendly clash at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Portugal, on Friday, October 13.
The West Africans are preparing for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe next month.
Saudi Arabia are also preparing for the same tournament but under a new manager, Roberto Mancini.
Sports Mole reported that both teams are entering the game with contrasting paths in recent form.
The Super Eagles are in search of their fourth consecutive win, while Mancini's men are hoping to avoid a seventh defeat in a row.
Nigeria finished the AFCON qualifying series with a 6-0 thrashing of Sao Tome and Principe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, to seal first place in Group A ahead of Guinea-Bissau.
Jose Peseiro will hope to continue this form against Saudi Arabia on Friday. However, his team has lost their last three friendly games, with the last loss coming against Portugal before the 2022 World Cup.
The Arabian Falcons' last game ended in a 1-0 defeat against South Korea at St. James' Park, which was their sixth consecutive loss.
The Middle Eastern nation's last win came against Yemen in the Gulf Cup of Nations fixture in January.
For the upcoming game, Peseiro will be without some key members of the Nigerian team due to injury.
The Nottingham Forest duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina both withdrew from the squad and were replaced by Sadiq Umar and Tyronne Ebuehi respectively.
In-form strikers, Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface are both available for the game, with Alex Iwobi also returning to the team after missing the last games due to injury.
Italian manager, Mancini has called up 31 players for the game, which comprises players mainly from the Saudi Pro League, according to Soccernet.
Saudi Arabian captain and top scorer, Salem Al-Dawsari is also available for the game.
Nigeria: Uzoho; Osayi-Samuel, Bassey, Torunarigha, Ebuehi; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Chukwueze; Osimhen, Boniface.
Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais; Al-Shahrani, Al-Tambakti, Al-Boleahi, Al-Ghannam; Kanno, Al-Khaibari, N. Al-Dawsari; S. Al-Dawsari, Ghareeb, Al-Shehri.
Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria - Nigeria to win (1.8)
Nigeria are in better form between the two teams going into the game and they favourite to win this particular tie.
Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria - both teams to score (1.9)
In the last five games for Saudi Arabia, four of them have ended with both teams finding the back of the net.
Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria - over 2.5 goals (2.03)
Nigeria is a scoring side with top strikers like Osimhen and Boniface, which means the match is expected to end with a lot of goals. Four out of Saudi Arabia's last five games have produced more than two goals.
Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria - Osimhen to score at any time (2.1)
Osimhen is going into this game in top form for his club, Napoli. He has five goals from Nigeria's last two games.
Sports BriefOsimhen and Chukwueze acting as bus conductors as they took a ride on one of the mini-cars at training while on international duty.
The respective AC Milan and Napoli stars are currently in Portugal with the Nigerian team preparing for international friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.
Register your account now with 1xBet, so as to not miss any sports betting opportunities.
Disclaimer: This page may contain advertising (including affiliate or referral links) for sports betting operators from whom we may receive compensation. Nothing in this article constitutes any guarantee of winning any online sports betting bet or wager that you may undertake, nor is there any intention to induce you or any other person into engaging in any sports betting activities. Please see our Betting Disclaimer for more details.
Gambling can be addictive. If you have a problem go to the website GamblersAnonymous.org.
