GOING for gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Brazil and the USA battle it out in Saturday’s women’s football final at the Parc des Princes.
The USA kicked off their campaign in emphatic fashion with a perfect three wins from thee during the group stage.
The Stars and Stripes group stage showing was made all the more impressive by the fact that they scored nine goals and kept three clean sheets.
However, it would be fair to say that things became less straightforward thereafter, with the USA needing extra-time to edge past both Japan and Germany at the quarter-final and semi-final stages respectively.
As for Brazil, they underwhelmed during the pool phase, squeezing through to the knockout stage as one of the best third placed teams.
However, the Selecao have come on strong since then, beating both France and Spain to book a spot in Saturday’s showpiece final.
How the bookies view it: USA set for top step on podium
Despite not reaching an Olympics final since 2012, the USA are odds-on 10/11 favourites on Bet 365.
Brazil go into Saturday's final as big underdogs at 10/3 on Bet 365. while the 90 minutes draw has been priced up at 21/10 with the same bookmaker.
Head to head: Brazil face uphill battle
The USA boast a mighty impressive record in this fixture, triumphing in a whopping 32 of the overall 41 meetings between the pair.
Brazil, in contrast, have posted a paltry three victories in 42 attempts against a USA side that could well hold a physiological edge over them.
Players to watch: Smith to strike gold?
Sophia Smith proved to be the scourge of Germany for the second time this summer by scoring the goal that secured a 1-0 extra-time win for the USA at the semi-final stage. The Stars and Stripes striker is 21/10 (Bet 365) to make the net bulge against Brazil.
Gabi Portilho has notched in each of Brazil’s last two outings, making her a value option to strike on Saturday at 5/1 on Bet 365.
Predicted line-ups
After serving a two match suspension, Marta is back in the mix and available for Brazil this weekend
Having been introduced as a half-time substitute, Emily Sonnett could get the nod in Saturday’s final from USA boss Emma Hayes.
Brazil: Lorena Leite, Lauren, Tarciane, Raffaelle Souza, Tamires, Yaya, Duda Sampaio, Marta, Gabi Nunes, Kerolin, Gabi Portilho
USA: Naeher, Dunn, Sonnet, Girma, Fox, Horan, Lavelle, Albert, Rodman, Smith, Swanson
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that each of the Stars and Stripes’ last two games have ended goalless, bundling up USA to lift the trophy alongside under four match goals looks the more attractive option at 4/5 on the Bet 365 Bet Builder tool.
This bet would have paid out in each of the Stars and Stripes' quarter-final and semi-final success respectively.
What’s more, the same combination would have also clicked in two of the USA's three group stage victories, making the 4/5 (Bet 365) about a repeat here an appealing prospect.
This Olympics match between Brazil Women and USA Women will be played on Aug 10, 2024 and kick off at 16:00. Check below for our tipsters best Brazil Women vs USA Women prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
