France U23 vs Argentina U23 Predictions for this Olympic quarter-final clash. France and Argentina, last World Cup finalists, now compete for a Paris 2024 Olympics semi-final spot on Friday. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Olympic Games Men’s Football | Quarter-Finals | Aug 2, 2024 at 8pm UK at Stade Matmut-Atlantique
France U23 vs Argentina U23 Predictions
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Can France Overcome Argentina’s Resilience to Reach the Semi-Finals?
Key Stats
France have averaged 2.3 goals per game in the tournament, showcasing their attacking potency.
Argentina’s Thiago Almada has scored in both of their group stage victories, underlining his importance.
Despite keeping three clean sheets, France’s defence has faced several close calls, highlighting potential vulnerabilities.
In a rematch of the recent World Cup final, France and Argentina now vie for a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics semi-finals. This encounter, set to take place at the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux, promises high stakes and intense competition, with the winner facing either Egypt or Paraguay in the next round.
Match Preview
The Olympic hosts, France, have been nothing short of exceptional in the group stages, winning all three of their matches. Thierry Henry’s side displayed a robust offensive and defensive performance, scoring seven goals and keeping three clean sheets. Their campaign began with a commanding 3-0 victory over the United States, followed by a late winner against Guinea and a comprehensive 3-0 triumph over New Zealand. This impressive run marks their first Olympic men’s quarter-final appearance since 1996.
Argentina, on the other hand, had a rocky start with a controversial defeat to Morocco. However, they bounced back with wins over Iraq and Ukraine, finishing second in Group B. Thiago Almada, the pre-tournament star, lived up to his hype, scoring in both victories. Claudio Echeverri added to the tally against Ukraine, securing their spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since their gold medal win in 2008.
Team News and Expected Lineups
France's manager, Thierry Henry, is expected to bring back key players who were rested in the final group match. Captain Alexandre Lacazette and Bayern Munich's new recruit Michael Olise are likely to return to the starting lineup, along with Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The defence will see Loic Bade, Adrien Truffert, and goalkeeper Guillaume Restes back in action. Here's the probable lineup for France:
France (4-3-3):
Restes; Sildillia, Bade, Lukeba, Truffert; Akliouche, Kone, Chotard; Olise; Lacazette, Mateta
Argentina's coach, Javier Mascherano, is expected to stick with the team that defeated Ukraine. Lucas Beltran should return to the starting eleven, partnering with Julian Alvarez upfront. Thiago Almada and Giuliano Simeone will continue to provide width and creativity. Argentina's expected lineup is as follows:
Argentina (4-4-2):
Rulli; Lujan, Otamendi, Di Cesare, Soler; Simeone, Fernandez, Medina, Almada; Beltran, Alvarez
Tactical Analysis and Key Battles
The midfield battle will be crucial, with France's Kone and Chotard likely to clash with Argentina's Fernandez and Medina. Thiago Almada's creativity and vision will be pivotal for Argentina, as he looks to exploit any spaces left by France's midfield trio. Conversely, Michael Olise's pace and trickery on the flanks will be a constant threat to Argentina's defence.
France's defensive solidity will be tested by the dynamic duo of Alvarez and Beltran. The Argentine forwards' movement and link-up play could stretch France's backline, which has yet to concede in the tournament. However, Argentina's defence, marshalled by Otamendi, will have their hands full with Lacazette and Mateta, who have shown clinical finishing abilities.
Expected Gameplay
Given both teams' attacking prowess, an open and entertaining match is expected. France are likely to dominate possession, utilising their technical midfielders to control the tempo. Argentina, however, will be dangerous on the counter-attack, with Almada and Simeone providing the necessary pace and creativity to exploit any defensive lapses by France.
Key Statistics
France's average BettingTips4You Expert Rating ranks them first out of 16 teams in the competition, reflecting their dominant performances. They have scored an average of 2.3 goals per game, with a solid defensive record of zero goals conceded. Their attacking efficiency is highlighted by their 19.3 shots per game, of which six are on target.
Argentina, ranked eighth, have averaged two goals per game, with a mix of left-footed, right-footed, and headed goals. Their passing accuracy stands at 87.7%, marginally higher than France's 87.3%. However, they have conceded three goals in as many matches, indicating potential vulnerabilities in their defence.
Critical Assessment
France's performance has been almost flawless, but their defence, despite the clean sheets, has faced some shaky moments. Their reliance on second-half goals suggests a pattern of wearing down opponents rather than quick, decisive finishes. This could be a double-edged sword against a resilient Argentine side capable of exploiting any lapses in concentration.
Argentina, though impressive in their recovery after the initial defeat, have shown defensive frailties, particularly in their match against Morocco. Their over-reliance on Thiago Almada for creativity might be a weakness if France successfully neutralise his influence. Moreover, their discipline in defence will be tested by France's varied attacking threats.
Managerial Analysis
Thierry Henry's tactical acumen has been evident in France's cohesive and balanced gameplay. However, his team's occasional defensive lapses might be a concern against stronger opposition. On the other side, Javier Mascherano's management has seen Argentina recover from a shaky start, but his tactical rigidity and reliance on key players could be exposed by a well-drilled French side.
Betting Angles and Predictions
Best Bet: France to Win and Both Teams to Score France's attacking depth and home advantage make them favourites, but Argentina's ability to find the net, as seen in their group matches, suggests a closely contested encounter. Both teams have shown offensive strengths and defensive vulnerabilities, making this a well-supported prediction.
Correct Score Prediction: France 2-1 Argentina Reflecting the expected high-octane nature of the match, France's overall quality should see them edge out Argentina. However, the South Americans' tenacity and attacking threats mean they are likely to score at least once.
Goalscorer Prediction: Michael Olise to Score Olise has been a standout performer for France, with his pace and finishing making him a constant threat. Given his current form and the likelihood of France creating multiple chances, Olise is a strong candidate to find the back of the net.
First Team to Score: France France's pattern of asserting dominance in the latter stages of matches suggests they will score first, especially if they can exploit Argentina's defensive lapses early on.
Innovative Market: Total Team Shots on Target Over 6.5 Both teams' attacking tendencies and the statistical data supporting high shot averages make this an intriguing market. France's average of six shots on target per game and Argentina's five indicate a high likelihood of surpassing this threshold in a match of this magnitude.
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