Nigeria vs Madagascar — Tips & Analysis

Madagascar +2: Nigeria are without the strikers who turn control into goals, and that is the main reason we are with Madagascar here. Victor Osimhen is out with a muscle injury and Paul Onuachu is missing too, with Taiwo Awoniyi called in as the replacement. Nigeria's last two games both finished 0-0, against Egypt and Morocco. Nigeria are still the far better team. They are unbeaten in their last 12 games, winning 8 and tying 4, and they let in well under a goal a game. Expect them to have the ball for most of the night. Madagascar are no easy touch though. They have won 6 and lost only 5 of their last 14 games, and they have lost by 2 or more goals in just 2 of those 14. They also won the only previous meeting between the sides, 2-0 back in 2019. Both squads are cold. Nigeria have not played in 251 days and Madagascar in 348, so neither side should be at its best straight away. A 2-0 Nigeria win is the most likely score, and that finish leaves this pick nothing to spare. We need Madagascar to keep the margin down, and their record says they usually do. The risk is Nigeria's home form. They have 5 wins and 2 ties in their last seven games there, and they won by 2 or more in 5 of their last 12. We still trust Madagascar to stay in touch.