France Ol. vs Spain Ol. prediction: WORLD: Olympic Games – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-08-08 16:00.
[p]Two of Europe’s heavyweight footballing nations clash once again, but this time an Olympic gold medal is up for grabs as hosts France meet Euro 2024 winners Spain with both looking to add another chapter to their illustrious histories. Theirry Henry’s French side negotiated a tricky match-up with Egypt at the semi-final stage, eventually running out 3-1 victors after extra time, to reach the final of this competition for the first time since winning it back in 1984 in Los Angeles. [/p]
[p]France have looked solid at both ends of the pitch so far, but especially in defence as they’ve conceded just once in their five matches at the tournament. All five of those outings have ended in victory too, helping them enter the final as narrow favourites with the bookmakers, a position given to them largely because of their joint-competition high of 11 goals scored at the Games.[/p]
[p]Spain are one of the other top scoring teams in the tournament though, and they’ll arrive in the final in great spirits themselves after they overcame Morocco in their semi-final showdown on Monday in Marseille. Santi Denia’s side left it late to claim a priceless 2-1 win through an 85th minute Juanlu strike, so they’ll now contest their second final in succession after losing to Brazil after extra time in heartbreaking fashion at the delayed 2020 Olympics. [/p]
[p]Unlike their opposition however, Spain have struggled defensively at times, and they’ll need to improve upon that quickly if they’re to take the gold here. Just one of their five matches during this tournament has seen them keep a clean sheet, and given that four of the five goals they’ve conceded arrived in the first half, another slow start could well be on the cards. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: France’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Spain’s FermĂn LĂłpez have scored four goals each during this tournament, and will be looking to chase down Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi for the competition’s Golden Boot award in this final. Four of their eight combined goals have come before the 25th minute! [/p]
[p]Hot stat: France have won 45 corners at the Olympics – 15 more than any other side in the competition. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]