The opening match in Group A of the Olympics pits Guinea U23 against New Zealand U23 and we're bringing you our predictions for the game.
Guinea U23 head into this one as the bookmakers' pick to win but the New Zealand U23 boasts some very good individual players, three of which play in England.
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Guinea U23 vs New Zealand U23 prediction: Possible stalemate on the cards?
Key Stats
- New Zealand U23 have only lost one of their last five matches across all competitions.
- Guinea U23 have only failed to score in two of their last six outings.
- New Zealand U23 have scored in each of their last five fixtures.
Correct score prediction: Guinea U23 1-1 New Zealand U23
Four of Guinea U23's last five matches have produced under 2.5 goals and two of those games have ended in stalemates.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Guinea U23 the clear favourite with the bookies
- HOME: 13/20 (1.65) – 60.6%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 17/4 (5.25) – 19%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Guinea U23 are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 60.6%, but we are predicting a close game between these two nations.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Never met before
Wednesday's clash between Guinea U23 and New Zealand U23 is the first meeting between these two nations.
Guinea U23 preview: First-ever appearance at the Olympics
Guinea U23 have qualified for their first-ever Olympic games and they will have plenty of support from the home crowd in Paris.
The Guinea U23 squad is almost entirely European-based with goalkeeper Mory Keita and defender Bangaly Cissé the only players plying their trade in Guinea.
Predicted lineup: Sylla (GK), Sow, Diakité, Keïta, A. Camara, Moriba, Soumah, I. Camara, O. Camara, Bah & Conte
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
L
USA Olympic
3
Guinea Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
L
France Olympic
1
Guinea Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 24/07/24
L
New Zealand Olympic
2
Guinea Olympic
1
New Zealand U23 preview: The OlyWhites Fourth Olympics
New Zealand U23 qualified for their first Olympic games in 2008 but didn't make it further than the group stage.
The 2012 Olympics in Great Britain also saw New Zealand U23 bow out at the group stage but the Japan 2020 Olympics saw the OlyWhites make it through to the quarter-finals.
The current New Zealand U23 side boasts a mix of home and foreign-based players with the likes of Ben Waine, Tyler Bindon and Alex Paulsen playing for clubs in the top two flights of English football.
Predicted lineup: Paulsen (GK), Boxall, Sutton, Bindon, Surman, Bell, Garbett, Old, Waine, Bidois & Randall
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
L
France Olympic
3
New Zealand Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
L
USA Olympic
4
New Zealand Olympic
1
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 24/07/24
W
Guinea Olympic
1
New Zealand Olympic
2
Olympics 2020 Soccer - Men 31/07/21
L
Japan Olympic
0 (4)
New Zealand Olympic
0 (2)
Olympics 2020 Soccer - Men 28/07/21
D
Romania Olympic
0
New Zealand Olympic
0
Player to watch – Riley Bidois
We have highlighted New Zealand forward Riley Bidois as our player to watch on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Loudoun United player has a great record for the New Zealand U23 team, netting six goals in three games. Admittedly, most of those goals arrived against lesser opposition but Biddois is bound to be full of confidence heading into the opening game against Guinea U23.
Bidois will be looking to continue his excellent scoring record
Guinea U23 are the bookmakers' pick to win this weekend but we like the look of this attacking New Zealand side and could see the underdogs causing their African opponents a few issues in Wednesday's opener.
