South Africa vs Nicaragua predictions: Bafana Bafana to warm up with a win

South Africa take on Nicaragua at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday (5pm BST) in what is their final warm-up match before their World Cup finals opener against Mexico in two weeks' time.

Below are my South Africa vs Nicaragua predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in Florida this Friday.

Team News

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos might have some tinkering to do with his starting XI, especially considering Mamelodi Sundowns were in CAF Champions League action last weekend.

As such, the likes of Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams might all start on the bench.

Broos hasn't named his final World Cup squad yet, which means several players could be fighting for their final chance to impress.

Nicaragua will not feature at the World Cup finals , but a win over South Africa would boost confidence for the Central American outfit.

Evert Martinez and Edgar Castillo could be unleashed from the start, making their fifth and third international appearances respectively.

South Africa vs Nicaragua Odds

South Africa are overwhelming favourites to win this clash, coming in as short as 1/4. The draw is priced at 4/1, with a Nicaragua win currently 17/2.

Both teams to score in this friendly is priced at 11/10, with over 2.5 goals coming in at 4/7.

Over 2.5 goals @ 4/7

Broos will be looking for a statement victory in Orlando on Friday evening, with goals on his mind.

Across South Africa's previous eight matches three or more goals have been scored in six of them. The Bafana Bafana have netted three goals on three occasions during that period.

Games involving Nicaragua have also featured plenty of goals. Last time out, the Central American nation suffered a 3-1 defeat to Russia

A total of 19 goals were scored in their seven matches before that defeat to the Russians, which works out as 2.7 goals per game.

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South Africa to win both halves @ 7/5

In a group with Mexico, Czech Republic and South Korea at the World Cup finals, South Africa are certainly the underdogs, but a confidence boosting victory over Nicaragua will give the Rainbow Nation some belief.

As such, expect Broos' side to come out quickly and create most of the chances early on, grabbing a first-half lead in the process.

With plenty of talent on the bench ready to come on and add more quality in the second half, South Africa to win both halves looks like great value at 7/5.