England Women v Nigeria Women

England Women vs Nigeria Women Preview

England begin their knockout campaign in this World Cup on Monday evening when they take on Nigeria at the Brisbane Stadium having breezed through the group stage with a 100% winning record along with conceding just the once in the three games played.

Having picked up the maximum nine points in these three matches with victories recorded against Haiti 1-0, Denmark 1-0 and a 6-1 thrashing of China in their final group game, England duly finished top of Group D with a three-point cushion over runners-up, Denmark, earning The Lionesses a place in this round of last 16 against Nigeria.

The bigger picture represents something of a ‘golden generation' for England under their Dutch coach, Sarina Wiegman, whose side lifted the European Championship crown last summer and she will no doubt be keen to take this England squad further than their previous best in a World Cup of the semi-final stage by making the final of this tournament.

The Lionesses have now lost only once in their previous 35 matches in all competitions, so they also represent a very tough challenge for Nigeria in this encounter.

American coach, Randy Waldrum, will be plotting England's downfall with his Nigerian side who overcame a tight group to finish runners-up behind Group B winners, Australia, as Nigeria also remained unbeaten in their three group matches as well, picking up points in 0-0 draws with both Canada and Republic of Ireland and producing an impressive if somewhat unexpected 3-2 victory over the group favourites and eventual winners, Australia.

That result against The Matildas alone will have the England camp on notice ahead of this knockout tie on Monday evening and the Nigerians bring an unbeaten spell of six matches in all competitions into this important clash which includes four wins.

Victories over Costa Rica, Haiti, New Zealand and Australia prove Nigeria are by no means pushovers on the international stage and Wiegman's England side will need to be on top of their game if they're to progress through to the last eight of this competition.

England W v Nigeria W Verdict

England have met Nigeria only the once on the international stage which happened to be in a World Cup all the way back in 1995 which England won 3-2 in what was a lively encounter and further goals could feature on Monday in Brisbane as both teams go in search of the killer blow which could land their nation in the quarter-finals of this World Cup.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.95

Other side bets worth considering:

England win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.10

Correct score: England 2-1 @ 9.50