2024 Olympics women’s soccer odds & prediction: USA has company in favorite role | Sporting News

2024 Olympics women’s soccer odds & prediction: USA has company in favorite role  | Sporting News

July 24, 2024

The United States women’s soccer team comes into the 2024 Olympics as the favorite to win the gold. The team features several young newcomers but plenty of veteran talent. The USA has not won the Olympic tournament since 2012, did not place in 2016, and took bronze in 2020.

Some strong contenders will challenge the US. Spain is also priced with short odds to win gold, while France, the host country, is the third betting choice and sure to have excellent support anytime it takes the field.

Emma Hayes is under a lot of pressure in her first major tournament as head coach of the USWNT, especially after the nation’s disappointing performance in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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BetMGM odds to win women’s soccer gold medal at 2024 Paris Olympics: USA, Spain top betting board

There’s a slim gap at the top of the odds board between the USA and Spain. Unlike in the men’s Olympic soccer tournament, there are age restrictions for the women, so you will see the world’s top players in Paris.

Here are odds from BetMGM Sportsbook for all 12 teams to win women’s soccer gold at the 2024 Olympics.

  • USA +175
  • Spain +188
  • France +500
  • Germany +1200
  • Japan +1400
  • Brazil +1600
  • Australia +1600
  • Canada +2000
  • Colombia +2500
  • Nigeria +6600
  • New Zealand +10000
  • Zambia +10000

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USA’s women’s soccer news and analysis 

It is easy to see why the USWNT has the shortest odds to win the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The squad is loaded with talent. Making this 18-women roster was a battle, and several notable names were left off, but the talent is simply that good. The youth will be interesting to watch, as the average age of 26.8 marks the youngest roster the US has sent to an Olympics since 2008 and the fourth youngest ever.

In several recent international tournaments, the USWNT has looked tired later in the competitions, so if this younger roster can advance out of the group stage, the hope is the players will be fresher than past groups. Only 10 players on the roster were on last year’s World Cup team, but some veterans who will play crucial roles on and off the field are still around. Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Crystal Dunn and Mallory Swanson each have over 90 caps. So, while the team is young, much of the team’s core is still intact.

The USWNT national team typically enters a tournament as the favorite. The program’s talent development is as good or better than that of any country in the world.

With Alex Morgan surprisingly left off the roster, there will be a lot of pressure on players like Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman to score goals, or there will be a lot of eyes looking at Hayes for her decision to leave Morgan at home.

Biggest threats to USA for gold? Spain and France 

Spain and France are the USA’s primary competition in Paris:

Spain

If there is a team that can challenge the talent of the USWNT, it is Spain, which boasts two Ballon d’Or winners, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas. The side also has a solid midfield group led by Patri Guijarro and one of the most talented rising stars in the world, Salma Paralluelo. Coming off its 2023 World Cup win, Spain has the momentum to win the gold in Paris, and the country is the pick of many pundits to win gold.

France

Not only is home field advantage on the French’s side, but they are also playing in the easiest group and set up well to make the knockout stage. They have some of the best players in the world and great star power, including Wendie Renard, Amandine Henry, Grace Geyoro, Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto. One question is depth beyond the stars.

2024 Olympics soccer medal longshots to consider

Here are a few teams with long odds that could make a run at gold.

Canada

Playing in Group A alongside France, Canada will be the favorite in two of its three games — against Colombia and New Zealand. The Canadians are the defending gold medalists, and captain Jessie Fleming will be a great leader as they look to defend their championship.

Brazil

Always a squad to look out for, Brazil is led by Marta, one of the best players of her generation, and she has announced this will be her last international tournament. It would not surprise anyone if she has a few memorable moments left in her.

2024 Olympics women’s soccer prediction: USA wins gold

The USA youth will struggle early, but Emma Hayes was an outstanding hire and is one of the best coaches in the world. With her tactical knowledge, she will help this young team develop and be ready to win big matches in the knockout rounds.

Prediction to win gold: USA