Nigeria v Uruguay – Confederations Cup Preview and Betting Tips

Betting Tips | Article posted on June 18th, 2025

Nigeria’s tournament begins effectively begins here, after the Africans walloped the French Polynesians of Tahiti by a scoreline of 6 – 1 in their opening FIFA Confederations Cup tie on Monday. While Tahiti may yet have to cope with even more humbling thrashings, the Nigerian head coach Stephen Keshi wore an expression of contempt and dissatisfaction for much of their first fixture after watching his side waste a number of goal-scoring opportunities in Belo Horizonte.

The only Nigerian forward who looked convincing against Tahiti was Nnamdi Oduamadi, who hit the back of the net in the first-half. The 22-year-old’s pedigree is such that he is currently on the books of AC Milan winger, although he spent last season on loan at Serie B club Varese. Oduamadi went on to score a hat-trick against Tahiti, and will be crucial if the Nigerians are to prosper against Uruguay.

A win would see the Africans certain to qualify for the semi-finals, which would be an excellent achievement for a team who went into the tournament very much as outsiders.

Uruguay, meanwhile, will be somewhat relieved to have the opportunity to play against much meagre opposition after their opening baptism of fire against the Spanish. The Uruguayans chased their tails for large parts of that opening fixture, as Spain played some of their typically dominant football. Spain enjoyed 71 percent possession against Uruguay, but Uruguayan head coach Oscar Tabarez could be relatively pleased by the resolute display that his team managed to produce.

Luis Suarez’s stunning free-kick was a reminder of the quality that has made him one of Europe’s most sought after strikers, and Uruguay will look to the Liverpool man to lead their attack against Nigeria. With a forward line of Cavani and Suarez, Nigeria will have to show more defensive organisation than they did in allowing Tahiti to score.

Nigeria (possible 4-2-3-1)

V. Enyeama
G. Oboabona
Elderson
K. Omeruo
E. Ambrose
J. Mikel
F. Ogude
N. Oduamadi
S. Mba
A. Ujah
A. Musa

Substitutes:

A. Ejide
J. Akpala
I. Brown
J. Ogu
M. Babatunde
C. Agbim
O. Onazi
A. Egwueke
S. Kwambe
F. Benjamin
M. Gambo
E. Eze

Uruguay (possible 4-2-3-1)

F. Muslera
M. Pereira
D. Lugano
D. Godín
M. Cáceres
W. Gargano
D. Pérez
C. Rodríguez
G. Ramírez
L. Suarez
E. Cavani

Substitutes:

D. Forlán
J. Castillo
A. Scotti
&. González
&. Pereira
E. Arévalo
M. Silva
S. Eguren
A. Hernández
N. Lodeiro
S. Coates
M. Aguirregaray

Betting Prediction

Nigeria may have beaten Tahiti by six goals to one, but they were far from convincing, and a Uruguayan team who performed creditably against Spain and who have the inimitable Luis Suarez in their ranks may be too good for them. I’m tipping the South Americans to triumph by a scoreline of 2 – 1.

Final Scoreline Prediction:Nigeria 1 – 2 Uruguay

Other Recommended Bets: Uruguay win, Over 2.5 Goals, Both Teams to Score.