Russia vs. Nigeria predicted lineups, team news, score prediction: Boniface returns for Super Eagles friendly

Following a narrow victory in the revived Unity Cup, Nigeria travel to Moscow to take on Russia in an international friendly, hoping to gear up for World Cup qualifying later this year.

In the friendly competition from England last week, Nigeria secured a one-goal victory to take down Ghana in the semifinals before beating Jamaica on penalties in the final.

They now get set for a match against competition-starved Russia, who remain banned from official UEFA or FIFA action due to the war in Ukraine.

Nigeria, meanwhile, are eyeing critical qualifying games against Rwanda and South Africa in September as they hope to solidify a place at next summer’s World Cup, a position far from guaranteed given their shaky standing in the group.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Russia vs. Nigeria predicted lineups, team news

With many Russian players forced to move back home, only two on the entire roster hail from clubs outside the Russian Premier League. Starting goalkeeper Matvei Safonov is the backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma at Paris Saint-Germain, while this roster’s top goal-scorer Anton Miranchuk plays for FC Sion in Switzerland.

Zenit St. Petersburg forward Maksim Glushenkov had a good finish to the club season, ending the campaign with nine goals and five assists as Zenit missed out on the league title by one point.

Russia predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Mitryushkin (GK) — Vakhania, Paltsev, Silvanov, Krugovoy — Miranchuk, Chernikov, Glushenkov — Schetinin, Komlichenko, Mostovoy

Russia full roster

Goalkeepers: Andrey Lunyov, Anton Mitryushkin, Matvei Safonov

Defenders: Arsen Adamov, Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov, Yuri Gorshkov, Turpal-Ali Ibishev, Danil Krugovoy, Viktor Melyokhin, Valentin Paltsev, Aleksandr Silyanov, Ilya Vakhaniya

Midfielders: Dmitri Barinov, Aleksey Batrakov, Yaroslav Gladyshev, Danil Glebov, Maksim Glushenkov, Matvey Kislyak, Antonin Miranchuk, Andrei Mostovoy, Ivan Oblyakov, Sergei Pinyayev, Danil Prutsev, Lechi Sadulayev, Kirill Schetinin

Forwards: Nikolay Komlichenko, Ivan Sergeyev.

After leaving many of their top attacking stars off the roster for the Unity Cup, Nigeria have brought Victor Boniface in for this friendly against Russia.

Still, Victor Osimhen remains out as he sorts out his club situation, while Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi were given rest along with Ademola Lookman and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sadiq Umar, and Nathan Tella have also been excused from this game.

Nigeria predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Okoye (GK) — Ismail, Fredrick, Ogbu, Onyemaechi — Dele-Bashiru, Onye, Onyedika — Uche, Boniface, Simon

Nigeria full roster

Goalkeepers: Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye

Defenders: Semi Ajayi, William Ekong, Igoh Ogbu, Benjamin Fredrick, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Sodiq Ismail, Bruno Onyemaechi, Olakunle Olusegun

Midfielders: Isaac Saviour, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Christantus Uche, Raphael Onyedika, Papa Mustapha Daniel

Forwards: Moses Simon, Sikiru Alimi, Tolu Arokodare, Victor Boniface.

Russia vs. Nigeria score prediction

Russia haven’t played anyone notable over the past few months, but Nigeria have also struggled to convert chances in general the past few years and also don’t keep clean sheets at a high rate.

While the Super Eagles possess a formidable roster from a talent perspective, they have not put forth results that reflect their list of top European players, and many of those most talented individuals are still not with the side.

Meanwhile, Russia have mowed down all in their pathway, clobbering Zambia 5-0 most recently, plus a 5-0 win over Grenada, 4-0 over Syria, 11-0 over Brunei and 3-0 over Vietnam. No, the competition is not impressive, but the consistency in results is still notable.

Predicted score: Russia 2-0 Nigeria

Russia vs. Nigeria: Live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: