Rio 2016 Men Soccer Winning Predictions And Runner-ups

Posted by Joe Solari on Monday,August 8, 2016 6:56, EDT in

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The Brazil soccer team is famed across the world as the home of football, with names like Pele, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos standing amongst the best-ever soccer players in the world. It therefore comes as no surprise that the Selecao under-23 football team has been heavily favored to win Gold the 2016 Rio Olympics Men’s soccer competition. But looking at Brazil’s performance so far, you can’t help but feel indifferent about the high hopes for the team, as the home side is yet to score a goal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, recording two 0-0 draws in their first two games.

With a final group game against the unbeaten Denmark side remaining for Neymar and Co. to contest for a spot in the next round, can the under-pressure Brazilians finally prove their worth and give themselves a chance at the Olympic soccer gold that stands as the only medal never won by the Brazil soccer team?

Ahead of the final group games on August 10th, let’s take a look at the current men soccer standings in Brazil, along with the soccer betting odds and predictions of the teams to qualify for the knockout (quarterfinals) stage.

Analyzing The Rio 2016 Men Soccer Winning Predictions And Runner-ups

Group A

Remaining Fixtures: Aug. 10

Denmark vs. Brazil, 9 p.m. on NBCSN
South Africa vs. Iraq, 9 p.m. on NBCOlympics.com

With two draws and no goals scored so far, Brazil stands precariously at No. 3 in Group A with two points, behind Iraq (2 points) and Denmark (4 points). A win over Denmark would see them top the group and reach the next round, but with Denmark having no losses so far and only needing a draw to top the group, things won’t be that easy for Neymar and his teammates. Not to forget, a win by Iraq over cellar-dwelling South Africa could further complicate things for the Brazilians.

Prediction: Brazil finally gets its scoring mojo, edging past a resilient Denmark side to reach the next round. Denmark still manages to qualify as runner-up, as South Africa beats Iraq in the other game.

Group B

Remaining Fixtures: Aug. 10

Japan vs. Sweden, 6 p.m. on NBC Olympic Soccer Channel
Colombia vs. Nigeria, 6 p.m. on NBC Universo

Leading Group B with 6 points, Nigeria is assured of going into the next stage as Group winners, irrespective of what happens in their final game against Columbia (2 points). For the Columbians, winning is the safest way forward, given Sweden and Japan both have one point apiece, and a win by either side could see them leapfrog Columbia in the standings. I highly doubt if Columbia will beat Nigeria, though, and that means we could easily see a runner-up emerging from the Sweden vs. Japan game on Aug. 10.

Prediction: Japan beats Sweden comfortably to take the second spot, with Nigeria and Columbia settling for a draw that leaves Nigeria atop the group and Columbia at No. 3.

Group C

Remaining Fixtures: Aug. 10

Germany vs. Fiji, 3 p.m. on NBC Olmypics.com
South Korea vs. Mexico, 3 p.m. on MSNBC and Telemundo

Defending gold medalists Mexico are tied atop Group C with the red-hot South Korea at 4 points apiece, meaning Wednesday’s clash between the South Koreans and the Mexicans will decide the team that tops the group. After a 2-2 draw against Germany in their first game, the Mexicans showed class by beating Fiji 5-1 in the next game, thanks to star Houston Dynamo striker Erick “Cubo” Torres, who notched four goals, including three within a span of 10 minutes in the second half. South Korea, meanwhile, continued to show its attacking prowess by drawing 3-3 with Germany in game two after manhandling Fiji to the tune of 8-0 in their group opener. The South Korea vs. Mexico should thus be a thriller with tons of goals, if the history so far is anything to go by. Germany (third-placed with 2 points from 2 draws) is a sleeper for the runner-up spot, given it will be playing a weak Fiji team in its final group game, offering them a chance to rise to as high as 5 points.

Prediction: South Korea narrowly beats Mexico to top the Group with 7 points, followed by Germany (who will cruise past Fiji), with defending champs Mexico falling to No. 3 in the group and getting eliminated, while Fiji maintains its last position with zero points.

Group D

Remaining Fixtures: Aug. 10

Argentina vs. Honduras, 12 p.m. on NBCSN and Telemundo
Algeria vs. Portugal, 12 p.m. on NBCOlympics.com

Portugal’s qualification to the knockout phase is safe and secure, so the game against Algeria will be a mere formality. That said, the Portuguese will want to win or at least draw the game to avoid finishing as runner-ups, considering that Honduras and Argentina are tied at 3 points apiece behind Portugal (6 points). The biggest game, therefore, in the final day of the group matches will be the clash between Argentina (who lost 2-0 to Portugal before beating Algeria 2-1) and Honduras (who won 3-2 over Algeria before losing 2-1 to Portugal).

Prediction: Argentina beats Honduras in the final game, finishing second behind Portugal, who will play to a draw against Argentina. Honduras finishes third and Algeria maintains at No. 4.