Nigeria are expected to be too strong for Seychelles in their final group E clash in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers at the Stephen Keshi Stadium. A -1 handicap is recommended as the hosts are expected to secure a comfortable victory. The West Africans are also predicted to secure a win to nil with the visitors failing to score in three of their last four matches.
Nigeria are already through to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations having claimed three wins and a draw from their five matches in the group. They currently top the group with 10 points and need a win against Seychelles to finish as group winners.
The Super Eagles played out a 1-1 draw away in South Africa in their previous qualifying fixture. Gernot Rohr’s men were then held 0-0 by Uganda in a friendly three days later. They are priced at odds of 1.02 to win on Friday.
Odion Ighalo has been excellent for Nigeria with six goals in his last three. The striker often leads the line for the team and is expected to get support from the likes of Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi, who have all impressed lately.
Seychelles have had a poor campaign in the AFCON qualifiers and are still without a win after five matches. They have suffered four defeats and are currently bottom of the group with just one point.
The Pirates were hammered 8-1 at home by Libya last time out. Perry Monnaie struck a consolation for Gavin Jeanne’s team on 72 minutes. A win in Nigeria is valued at 34.00 with a draw priced at 11.00.
Seychelles have been poor in attack throughout the qualifiers having failed to score in four of their five matches. Monnaie scored their first goal in the qualifiers last time out against Libya and the striker is expected to continue in attack on Friday.
The only previous meeting between Nigeria and Seychelles came in the reverse fixture at the Stade Linte in Mahe. The Super Eagles claimed a 3-0 victory with Musa, Ighalo and Chidozie Awaziem getting the goals.
Ighalo has been excellent for Nigeria in recent matches, scoring six goals in his last three appearances. He often combines well with the likes of Iwobi and Musa and all three men should get the better of the Seychelles defence.
The West Africans have also been quite solid at the other end of the pitch, keeping three clean sheets in their last five matches.
The duo of William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun have already shut out the Seychelles attack in these qualifiers and will be confident of a repeat performance on Friday.
STATISTICS
Nigeria have won 3 of their last 4 matches (AFCON Qualifiers).
Nigeria have kept clean sheets in 2 of their last 3 home matches (AFCON Qualifiers).
Seychelles have lost 7 of their last 8 matches (AFCON Qualifiers).
Seychelles have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 matches (AFCON Qualifiers).
VERDICT
Nigeria should be too good for a Seychelles team that has been the whipping boys of the group. A -2 handicap is recommended here while the Super Eagles are expected to keep a clean sheet in a comfortable win.
