Nigeria vs Zimbabwe Predictions: Early Goals to Secure Victory for Nigeria.
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe Predictions: Early Goals to Secure Victory for Nigeria
We’ve got predictions for the World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Our expert believes that most of the goals will come in the first half, paving the way for Nigeria to secure the win.
Analysis: Form of Both Teams
Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been somewhat disappointing, with just one win from their first five matches. However, their most recent victory came against Rwanda, with a solid 2-0 scoreline.
Since September, the Super Eagles have shown improvement across their games, conceding just three goals in their last seven outings.
In contrast, Zimbabwe has been struggling. The Warriors have failed to win in their last three matches, and with three draws and two losses, they find themselves at the bottom of Group C in World Cup qualifying.
Probable Lineups for Nigeria vs Zimbabwe
Nigeria Expected Lineup: Nwabali, Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi, Ndidi, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman, Osimhen, Simon
Zimbabwe Expected Lineup: Arubi, Jalai, Garan’anga, Takwara, Lunga, Rinomhota, Munetsi, Zemura, Billiat, Musona, Dube
Early Goals Likely
Nigeria started strong in their last match against Rwanda, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice in the first half. Of the five qualification matches played by Nigeria, half of their goals have been scored in the first 45 minutes.
Interestingly, four of the five goals Nigeria has conceded in Group C have also come in the first half. In fact, only once has more goals been scored in the second half during these matches.
Zimbabwe’s last encounter with Benin saw three goals scored in the first half, with the match ending 2-2. Similarly, their previous game against Cameroon saw both goals of their 2-1 loss come in the first half.
For Zimbabwe, there has never been more goals in the second half of any Group C match they’ve played.
Both Goalkeepers Likely to Concede
Nigeria has scored in 19 of their last 20 competitive matches, including every World Cup qualifier so far. With attacking stars like Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Osimhen (who scored twice against Rwanda), the Super Eagles are potent going forward. However, they have been defensively vulnerable, conceding an average of one goal per game in the qualifiers, with just one clean sheet in five matches.
Similarly, Zimbabwe has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four matches. They’ve conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game in their qualifying campaign. Despite their defensive struggles, Zimbabwe has found the back of the net in each of their last five games, scoring eight goals in that stretch.
Nigeria to Secure the Win
In the eight previous meetings between these two teams, Zimbabwe has won only once—back in 1981 during a friendly. Since then, Nigeria has won four times and drawn three. Their biggest victory was a dominant 5-1 win.
Although Nigeria hasn’t been as dominant as they hoped in qualifying, Zimbabwe has yet to register a win. There’s a significant 77-place gap between the two teams in FIFA’s rankings, with Nigeria far higher than their opponents.
A win for Nigeria could bring them closer to Benin and South Africa in Group F, with both of those teams facing off on the same day. With four wins and two draws in their last seven matches, Nigeria are the clear favorites in this encounter.
