The countdown is almost at zero, with the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris set to begin this week.
Everyone who watches the games every 4 years has certain sports that they like, but you cannot argue, especially given the global viewership of the sport, that soccer is going to be high on the list for a lot of people.
My Olympic Soccer Analysis
All told, there will be 16 nations taking part, all of whom are split into groups of 4 for the opening round.
We will have the top 2 teams in each group moving into the knockout phase of the tournament.
If you watched the European Championship or Copa America this summer, you know that surprises can happen, so with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at all 4 groups in Men’s Olympic Soccer.
^Group A
If truth be told, the top two in this group appear to be set in stone, but as we mentioned at the top of this piece, upsets can happen.
The clear favorite in Group A, and perhaps even the tournament as a whole is France (-360).
The host nation has not lost a game in 2024 and looks ready to deliver the goods in front of their own fans.
It has been a while since the USA (+400) has been part of the battle for the medal at the Olympics, with their last appearance coming in 2008.
With that in mind the pressure is somewhat off, and they should move on. Guinea (+790) could be a handful, while New Zealand (+2800) appears to have little chance.
^Group B
We have another potential medal favorite playing in Group B, with Argentina (-199) consider by many to be the team to beat in the battle for Olympic Gold.
They made it here by going unbeaten through the CONMEBOL tournament.
This is the first Olympic appearance for Morocco (+275) since 2012, and with a 4th place finish at the 2022 World Cup, this looks like a soccer nation on the rise.
They look like a good bet to get out of this group, although Ukraine (+500) might have a say in the matter. I don’t see any way in which Iraq (+4000) advances.
^Group C
Again, we have another clear favorite to win a group, with European champions, Spain (-340) a real threat to win a medal at this tournament.
Even with all but 3 of the squad comprised of U-23 players, this is a team that is stacked from top to bottom. Next, we have Egypt (+400), who made it out of the group stage at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
They finished in the top 3 in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations to secure their spot here. Uzbekistan (+600) are not a total write off in this group, but they would probably need to get something from their game against Egypt.
The Dominican Republic (+6600) is the big underdog.
^Group D
This is the toughest group to predict, as you can make a case for all 4 teams moving on. It is Paraguay (+166) that is in as the slight favorite in this group.
They did win the CONMEBOL tournament, so they are used to this type of pressure.
Japan (+228) made it to the semi-final in Tokyo, although they eventually failed to medal, and I think they could well finish on top here.
It is going to be a massive battle for the top 2 spots in this group, with goal difference potentially coming into play.
Mali (+275) and Israel (+460) will feel they have a shot.
^Betting Olympic Soccer Odds
When: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Location: Paris, Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux and Nantes
TV: NBC, USA Network, Peacock
Olympic Soccer Odds to Win
- France +220
- Spain +255
- Argentina +290
- Morocco +990
- Paraguay +2000
- USA +2100
- Egypt +2200
- Ukraine +2400
- Japan +3200
- Mali +3300
- Israel +4000
- Guinea +5000
- Uzbekistan +6600
- Iraq +10000
- New Zealand +15000
- Dominican Republic +26000
This venue… 🤩#Paris2024pic.twitter.com/8D648LeR9r
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 21, 2024
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2024 Men’s Olympic Soccer, July 5
While the European Championship and Copa America tournaments are now in the knockout stages, there is still one more major tournament to come before the European leagues start back their regular seasons.
That would be the Olympic Games soccer tournament, which is set to begin later this month in Paris, France.
My Analysis
This event follows a similar setup to the other major tournaments, but the players that can take part is a little different.
The 16 teams that qualified will be made up of most U-23 players, although each squad is allowed to have 3 over age players, so we might see some big names.
Let’s take a look at the group stage to see how it might all play out.
Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine
The clear favorite to win this group is Argentina, who are on course to add a Copa America to their World Cup win.
Lionel Messi has already been ruled out of this squad, but this is still a strong team that should dominate the group.
Morocco looks a good bet to take the 2nd place spot in this group, although Ukraine may have something to say about that.
Iraq is the longshot team in Group A.
Group A: France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand
The host nation, France is the favorites to come out of this group, with the United States the team most likely to take the 2nd spot.
Guinea could prove to be a handful for both teams, but I still believe they will come up short, while I fully expect New Zealand to be in the cellar in Group C.
Group D: Paraguay, Mali, Israel, Japan
This is easily the most open group of the 4, and you could easily make a case for each team to move on to the knockout stage.
Paraguay are the favorites to top the group, with Japan and Mali basically considered equal at this point.
Israel are the underdogs here, but they also cannot be counted out. If pushed to make a decision, I would go with Paraguay and Japan to move on.
Who Wins Gold?
If truth be told, I think the medal positions are pretty much set in stone here.
It is, in my opinion, all about narrowing down which country gets which medal. France is going to be tough at home, but I am looking at either Argentina or Spain to take the gold medal.
This, for me, is an absolute coin flip, but I am playing the chalk and taking Argentina to win it.
As far a a dark horse upsetting the apple cart goes, I would keep an eye on Morocco.
Betting Olympic Soccer Odds
When: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Location: Paris, Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux and Nantes
TV: NBC, USA Network, Peacock
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