The "Group of Death" in the Women's World Cup really shouldn't have been as much of a hassle as it has become for the United States.
The team is very fortunate to have four points in two fixtures, but because it hasn't gotten the full six points, it is going to have to snare a point in this third group match against Nigeria just to ensure safety into the Round of 16.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Obviously, the Americans are going to be heavily favored in this match, but we really aren't all that sure what the fair margin really is. Remember that Nigeria was able to take a point from Sweden, the team same which just drew the United States on Friday night. This African side is dangerous, though the biggest problem that it is going to have is the fact that it has to go for broke; only three points will do to get it into the next round.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It was like two heavyweights going at it. I thought both teams left it all on the field. I think Sweden had a good game plan. They were tough to break down. In the second half, we were better, we had better possession, and we took good things away from this. We're still in the driver's seat. We still have an opportunity to finish top." – USA manager Jill Ellis following Friday's fixture with Sweden
RECENT FORM
The United States had a lot of problems offensively against Sweden in this last fixture, and the 0-0 final score shows just that. This was a match which looked awfully similar to the duel against South Korea in New Jersey, an outing which finished scoreless as well.
Nigeria is the far more interesting side to study here. The Super Eagles are incredibly quick to the ball, and when they get going up the pitch, they can truly fly all over the place.
You saw just that against Sweden when Nigeria netted three goals. You didn't see it nearly as much against Australia in a 2-0 defeat.
The penalty for the Nigerians for losing that match is that a win now is all that will do against the USA, and even that isn't totally guaranteed to be enough to get them into the Round of 16.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
We're going to tip the United States here, but the far better play is on the over as we see it, especially after both teams played under duels in their second World Cup fixtures.
Nigeria, even in defeat, still mustered 12 attempts at goal, three of which ended up hitting the target against the Aussies, and that will surely end up being the minimum gotten against the United States as well.
Ellis made an interesting decision by leaving Abby Wambach on the bench to kick off the fixture against Sweden, a decision which we think really bit her in the backside. Christen Press was ineffective up top with Sydney LeRoux, and both ended up getting subbed out for Wambach and Alex Morgan before the match was said and done with.
The Americans need to get back to what has really worked for them in the past. Morgan, assuming that she is fit enough to be able to play a full 90 minutes, really needs to be out there, and Wambach has proven time and time again that she is deadly in situations like this. Sure, neither one has truly played effectively yet here in Canada, but there is a lot of potential here.
In this match, there could be a lot of goals scored. No team in the world counterattacks quite like the US, and with as many as Nigeria is going to have to commit to attacking in this match, that could really open things up. Don't be stunned if we see at least six or seven goals by the time this one hits full time.
United States 4, Nigeria 2
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Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between the United States and Nigeria will take place at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 16, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The game will be broadcast live on FOX.
