The Olympic football tournament gets underway today with hosts and favourites France in action.
Spain, fresh from their Euro 2024 success in Germany, also open their campaign, as do Argentina.
We’ve been through the fixtures and identified some bets that we feel offer good value.
All odds accurate as of 10:50, July 24 via bet365
📰 Table Of Contents
Uzbekistan v Spain
The Spanish boast a strength in depth the envy of most teams at the Games.
Their squad features two European Championship winners in Alex Baena and Fermin Lopez as well as a strong over-age trio – Juan Miranda, Sergio Gomez and Abel Ruiz.
Throw in defenders Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsi, the 17-year-old who impressed at Barcelona last season, and you can see why they ought to be too strong for Uzbekistan.
We fancy them to win comfortably.
Tip: Spain to win with a -1 handicap at 10/11.
France v United States
Tournament hosts France will be roared on by a patriotic support as they look to go one better than the last major tournament they hosted, Euro 2016, when they lost to Portugal in the final.
Coach Thierry Henry has had issues with withdrawals but can still call on a squad full of experience, youth and talent.
Alexandre Lacazette skippers the team and could form a physically imposing front two with Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta will relish the opportunity to play again with his former Palace team-mate Michael Olise, who joined Bayern Munich this summer.
Also keep an eye out for Rennes midfielder Desire Doue, who is a reported target for Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Tottenham.
The US won’t be pushovers, bringing their customary organisation and athleticism, but it’s hard not to see France getting off to a winning start.
Tip: France to win at 4/7.
Guinea v New Zealand
New Zealand went down 3-1 to Uzbekistan in their final warm-up game last week and appear to be one of the weaker squads present at the Games.
Guinea come into the tournament with a 1-0 win over Argentina under their belts and are captained by vastly experienced former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita.
Expect Guinea to prove too strong.
Tip: Guinea to win at 4/6.
Accumulator
Following the above tips gives you a 4/1 acca which could get your Olympics off to a profitable start!
