The European Championship in Germany is over, and the Copa America in the United States. The start of the club season is not soon, but for now we can look forward to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (France). The bookmakers have already assessed the strength level of the quartets. Before we address Group A, where the hosts are, let’s remember the format and the schedule.
Football at the 2024 Olympic Games for men: format, schedule, when is the final
Due to the large number of matches, the Olympic football tournament starts two days before the official opening ceremony of the Games, namely on July 24. There are three rounds in the group stage, and then, of the 16 teams that were divided into four groups in the group stage, two each qualify for the playoffs.
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It is important to note that, unlike the women’s teams, only players under the age of 23 are allowed in the men’s teams. Only three additional adults may register. The entire application is made up of 18 players. In Group A, the following participants will compete to reach the quarter-finals: New Zealand, USA, Guinea and France.
1st round, July 24
Guinea – New Zealand (18:00 Moscow time); France – United States (22:00 Moscow time).
2nd round, July 27
New Zealand – USA (20:00 Moscow time); France – Guinea (22:00 Moscow time);
3rd round, July 30
USA – Guinea (20:00 Moscow time); New Zealand – France (22:00 Moscow time);
No business, no competitors
The bookmakers consider the French Olympic team to be one of the favourites for the entire tournament. It is clear that they will also be the favourites in Group A. Bets are offered on the quartet winning at a rate of 1.28, which in terms of probability exceeds 75%. A very respectable figure.
The American team can put up some kind of, I’m not afraid to say, fight. Analysts gave the American athletes a 5.00 chance of advancing to the playoffs from first place. This is a probability of about 20%. Not so little for a sensation. Especially considering the gradual development of football in the country and the absence of competitor Kylian Mbappé in the squad.
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The rest, according to experts, are no match for the hosts of the Olympic Games. Guinea has a 9.00 odds for a group win, and New Zealand has a 30.00 odds. Bookmakers do not even allow betting that New Zealand will not win the group in principle. Curious.
2024 Olympic Football Games: Prediction and betting on Group A
There are enough interesting personalities in the French national team even without Kylian Mbappé. Take Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, for example, who occupies one of the senior positions. In addition, the youngsters also have experience and many are gathering dust at the big European clubs.
However, let’s do the opposite and assume that the French will not win Group A. Bookmakers give odds of about 3.60 for such an event – a probability of almost 30%. Not so little. There are several reasons. First of all, the United States will probably be full of energy and will do everything to improve its status and show its strength to Europe. However, the political situation is closely related to this.
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The second point is France itself, which did not even make it out of the group at the last Olympics. The line-up was less famous, but the opponents were quite playable. Side by side are the questions of motivation and pressure. Almost all of the athletes are not older than 23 years old and playing at this level in front of their fans is a huge responsibility.
The New Zealand national team can also play a role. In 2024, experts do not see any threat, but last time the young New Zealanders left the group and lost in the quarter-finals only on penalties. It is possible that they will now take points away from them. In short, we anticipate problems for the owners.
Tender: France will not win Group A by 3.68.
