Russia will welcome African giants Nigeria to the Luzhniki Stadium on Friday evening, as both sides prepare to face each other for the very first time at senior level.
The hosts remain banned from competitive football by FIFA following sanctions imposed in February 2022, but have continued to arrange friendly fixtures in a bid to maintain sharpness.
After reviewing our key Russia vs Nigeria betting insights, be sure to visit our website for the remaining football betting tips today.
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Russia vs Nigeria prediction: Goals likely as free-Scoring hosts take on unpredictable Super Eagles
Key Stats
- Russia have scored at least three goals in each of their last eight fixtures.
- Nigeria have found the net at least twice in four of their previous five matches across all competitions.
- The Super Eagles conceded in both halves in their most recent outing.
Correct score prediction: Russia 2-2 Nigeria
Although Russia have not conceded in their last five games, the last time they did was against an African side — a clash that ended 2-2. Interestingly, Nigeria come into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw with Jamaica before edging the Reggae Boys on penalties, so a repeat of that scoreline could be on the cards.
Pre-game odds and win probability
*No odds available for this match for now.
Most recent H2Hs: History in the making
This will mark the very first encounter between the two teams at senior international level.
Russia preview and team news: Safonov returns after European glory
Russia’s recent fixtures have been dominant displays, with their most recent being a commanding 5-0 victory over Zambia in March — their eighth consecutive win during which they scored 45 goals without conceding once.
While Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning season owed much to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s consistency, Matvey Safonov also played a respectable role with 17 appearances for the French side, including two in the UEFA Champions League.
Safonov has now been recalled by head coach Valery Karpin, having last featured on the bench in a friendly against Vietnam in May last year.
Predicted XI: Safonov (GK); Vakhaniya, Silyanov, Osipenko, Krugovoy; Batrakov, Miranchuk, Prutsev; Glushenkov, Komlichenko, Mostovoy
International Match 25/03/25
W
Zambia
0
Russia
5
International Match 19/03/25
W
Grenada
0
Russia
5
International Match 19/11/24
W
Syria
0
Russia
4
International Match 15/11/24
W
Brunei
0
Russia
11
African Nations C'ship Qualifying 05/09/24
W
Vietnam
0
Russia
3
Nigeria preview and team news: Late changes shake Super Eagles squad
Nigeria arrive in Moscow with a restructured squad following several late withdrawals from the team that recently won the Unity Cup.
The Super Eagles defeated arch-rivals Ghana 2-1 before edging Jamaica on penalties after a 2-2 draw, but that squad has undergone significant changes.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is absent due to personal reasons, while Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Chukwueze also departed for family commitments. Ola Aina and Wilfred Ndidi have been ruled out through injury, while Nathan Tella was unable to travel due to documentation issues.
However, the camp has been boosted by the arrival of captain William Ekong and Fenerbahce full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel, who were not part of the initial squad.
Predicted XI: Okoye (GK); Onyemaechi, Ajayi, Ekong, Osayi-Samuel; Onyedika, Onyeka, Dele-Bashiru; Boniface, Dessers, M. Simon
Africa - World Cup Qualifying 25/03/25
D
Zimbabwe
1
Nigeria
1
Africa - World Cup Qualifying 21/03/25
W
Rwanda
0
Nigeria
2
African Nations C'ship Qualifying 28/12/24
W
Ghana
1
Nigeria
3
Africa Cup of Nations Qualification 18/11/24
L
Rwanda
2
Nigeria
1
Africa Cup of Nations Qualification 14/11/24
D
Benin
1
Nigeria
1