USA Ol. vs Guinea Ol. prediction: WORLD: Olympic Games betting tips on match 2024-07-29 17:00.
[p]After falling to a 3-0 defeat against France despite an encouraging performance on matchday one, the United States of America found their shooting boots on Saturday as they cruised to a 4-1 victory against New Zealand. The Stars and Stripes were three goals to the good by the half-hour mark of that game, leaving them in control of their own destiny ahead of the final round of group fixtures.[/p]
[p]Marko Mitrović’s men are virtually assured of a place in the knockout stages should they beat Guinea on matchday three, while a draw would be enough if New Zealand fail to beat France in the group’s other face-off. Qualification would make history for the USA, as they’ve not reached the quarter-finals at the men’s Olympic football tournament since 2000, and have done so just once since 1956![/p]
[p]The equation is much less straightforward for Guinea however, as they’re one of two sides across the competition to lose both of their first two games. The National Elephants were left aggrieved by their 1-0 defeat to France which saw them have two goals disallowed for offside – a problem that’s plagued them after they had one chalked off in their opener against New Zealand (L 2-1)![/p]
[p]As a result, Guinea must beat the USA on matchday three, recover a goal difference deficit of two and hope that France beat New Zealand if they’re to book a place in the quarter-finals. If they’re unsuccessful, Kaba Diawara’s men will bow out of the Olympic football tournament in the groups, just as they did on their only previous appearance at this stage in 1968, though they did at least register a victory on that occasion (W1, L2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: On target against New Zealand, the USA’s Paxten Aaronson has a habit of striking late, with four of his last five goals for club and country arriving in the second half. Abdoulaye Touré started two games for Guinea’s senior side in June, and is one of three players for the Olympic side to have seen a goal disallowed at this competition.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: The USA have kept just one clean sheet across their last 12 Olympic matches.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]