Argentina U23 begin their journey for an Olympic medal against Morocco U23 in the opening game of Group B on Wednesday.
The South Americans are one of the favourite to win Olympic Gold behind France and Spain so getting off to a winning start against Morocco will give their confidence levels a big boost.
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Argentina U23 vs Morocco U23 prediction: Victory and a clean sheet for Argentina?
Key Stats
- Morocco have failed to score in three of their last five matches.
- Argentina are unbeaten in their last six fixtures, picking up three wins and three draws.
- Luciano Gondou has scored four goals in seven caps for Argentina U23.
Correct score prediction: Argentina 3-0 Morocco
Argentina have scored at least three goals in three of their last five matches and have kept clean sheets in three of their last six outings, while Morocco have fired blanks in three of their last five games and conceded exactly three goals in their last away game against Denmark U23.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies backing the South Americans
- HOME: 3/5 (1.60) – 62.5%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 15/4 (4.75) – 21.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Argentina U23 are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 62.5%, and we tend to agree with the bookmakers on this one.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First encounter
These two nations have never clashed at U23 level but Argentina have claimed the Gold medal on two previous occasions at the Olympics.
Argentina U23 preview: Aiming for third Gold medal
Argentina U23 claimed their first Gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Sydney and defended their title at the Beijing Olympics four years later.
The current Argentina U23 squad is made up of mostly home-based players with the exception of Brighton's Valentín Barco, Lucas Esquivel and Juan Sforza who both play in Brazil, and Federico Redondo and Thiago Almada who ply their trade in the MLS.
Predicted lineup: Brey (GK), Di Césare, Luján, Valentini, Barco, Almada, Sforza, Medina, Fernández, Gondou & Castro
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 02/08/24
L
France Olympic
1
Argentina Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
W
Ukraine Olympic
0
Argentina Olympic
2
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
W
Iraq Olympic
1
Argentina Olympic
3
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 24/07/24
D
Morocco Olympic
2
Argentina Olympic
2
Olympics 2020 Soccer - Men 28/07/21
D
Spain Olympic
1
Argentina Olympic
1
Morocco U23 preview: Outsiders to win Gold
Morocco U23 have qualified for their fifth Olympic games and their first since the 2012 Olympics in Great Britain.
The North Africans have never made it past round one before but their current squad certainly possesses the ability to cause a few problems in Group B as many of their players ply their trade in Belgium and France with a couple also playing in Spain for Real Betis and Villarreal.
Predicted lineup: Hasbi (GK), Tourraine, Et-Taïbi, El Wafi, Labib, Jaouab, Oukili, Nadir, Nassoh, Begraoui & Taha
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 08/08/24
W
Egypt Olympic
0
Morocco Olympic
6
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 05/08/24
L
Spain Olympic
2
Morocco Olympic
1
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 02/08/24
W
USA Olympic
0
Morocco Olympic
4
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
W
Iraq Olympic
0
Morocco Olympic
3
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
L
Ukraine Olympic
2
Morocco Olympic
1
Player to watch – Luciano Gondou
Argentina's number nine is our player to watch in the Group B opener as we have high expectations of the Argentinos Juniors frontman.
Gondou, 23, made his name at Sarmiento before moving to Argentinos Juniors in 2023 where he scored nine goals in 14 appearances last year. The 2024 campaign hasn't proved as fruitful for the young striker who has netted just three times in 14 games but his record for Argentina U23 has been impressive.
Gondou will be hoping to fire Argentina to gold
Gondou scored four times in seven caps for Argentina U23 and certainly has the ability to end the Olympic games as the top scorer.
