*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The Premier League finished just two months ago. The Euros was a month-long festival of football. The night owls among us even watched the Copa America. And now comes the Olympics.
Football just doesn’t stop – and the Olympics football this summer could prove to be just as drama-filled and entertaining as the other tournaments that have gone before it. Japan are well placed to impress in both the men’s and women’s competition, while the likes of Spain, France, Brazil and Great Britain all have representation here.
New to Paddy Power?
Betting on Olympics football is just like placing bets on any other match. Because of this, here at Paddy Power we’re expecting plenty of fans to get stuck into all the action and follow both tournaments from the group stages onwards – so we’ve stacked our sportsbook with plenty of great odds.
Who will win the Olympics football this summer? Here are a few tips you may want to consider…
Brazil are defending gold medal winners in the men’s football at the Olympics (GETTY)
Men’s Olympics Football best bets
Spain are the pre-tournament favourites to win the Olympics men’s football gold medal and it’s hard to see past them at this stage. The Spanish U23 team is stacked with talent – including Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo and Unai Simon who competed at the Euros. Head coach Luis de la Fuente named Marco Asensio, Mikel Merino and Dani Ceballos are the three overage players in this team, which is likely to be heavily inclined to attack.
France are second favourites to win men’s gold but have arguably a tougher group, with Japan, Mexico and South Africa to face. France last won this tournament in 1984 and this generation perhaps lacks the start-studded quality of previous teams. That’s why Brazil – as defending champions but also priced wider than France – are perhaps a smarter bet.
The Brazilians are in Group D along with Germany, Saudi Arabia and Ivory Coast. They should progress to the quarter-finals with ease and boast talents such as Gabriel Martinelli, Richarlison, Douglas Luiz and Bruno Guimaraes in their squad. Add to that the experience of Dani Alves and Diego Carlos, and Brazil have an impressive team on show.
Best bet: Spain win at 13/5 NB
Can Japan secure a football medal in Tokyo this summer? (GETTY)
Women’s Olympics Football best bets
Unlike the men’s tournament were 16 teams will be cut to form a knockout competition at the last-eight stage, there are just 12 competing nations in the women’s tournament. Great Britain are coached by Norwegian Hege Riise, who is also interim England boss. The Brits face Canada, Chile and hosts Japan in the group stage, and are the fourth favourites to win gold.
Of course, the favourites are naturally USA. They have won four of the six editions of the women’s Olympics football tournament, as well as the last two World Cups. USA are in a group consisting of Sweden, New Zealand and Australia – perhaps the group to watch and bet on this summer. A staggering nine players boast over 100 caps for USA in this squad, and the likes of Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz and Tobin Heath are tipped to dazzle once again.
Were USA to somehow not win gold then Netherlands are the second favourites. The Dutch won the 2017 European Championships and are favourites to claim the honour again in 2022. With Daniëlle van de Donk, Vivianne Miedema and Lieke Martens in the squad, they’re a decent NAP pick here.
Best bet: Netherlands win at 5/1 NAP
Olympics betting guides
- Olympics tips: Paddy’s complete guide to betting on the Games
- Olympics tips: Paddy Power’s guide to the 5 new sports in 2021
- Olympics tips: Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s 5 best gold medal hopes
- Olympics tips: Ireland’s 2 best medal hopes at the 2021 Games
- Olympics tips: How to bet on medal table when USA will likely win
- Olympics tips: 5 rowing best bets for Tokyo 2020 Games
- Olympics tips: 3 athletics best bets for track and field action at Tokyo 2020
The Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
