Women's Olympic Football: Four Betting Tips From The Semi-Finals

Women's Olympic Football Predictions:

• The Panel Tip 1: USA To Beat Germany - 11/10 With Spreadex
• The Panel Tip 2: USA Vs Germany - Under 2.5 Total Goals - 17/20 With Bet365
• The Panel Tip 3: Spain -1 To Beat Brazil - 7/5 With Bet365
• The Panel Tip 4: Brazil Vs Spain - Over 2.5 Total Goals - 20/21 With Unibet

USA Vs Germany, Tuesday 5pm

The USA breezed through the group stage, beating Zambia 3-0, Germany 4-1 and Australia 2-1. They had to work much harder in the quarter-finals, though, as Japan held them to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes of hard-fought action in Paris. 

It looked like the game was headed for penalties, but Trinity Rodman struck at the end of the first period of extra time to give the USA a 1-0 win.

Despite that 4-1 defeat by the Stars and Stripes in the group stage, Germany advanced as runners-up thanks to triumphs over Australia (3-0) and Zambia (4-1). 

They too were involved in a tight and tense quarter-final against Canada; that match finished 0-0 after extra time, before Germany came out on top in the penalty shoot-out.

Germany will probably do better here than they did against the USA in the group stage, but it is still hard to look past Emma Hayes’ team.

The Panel Tip 1: USA To Beat Germany - Spreadex - 11/10

Germans Will Have Learnt From Group Game

Germany manager Horst Hrubesch will have studied that 4-1 loss to the USA in the group stage intensely ahead of Tuesday’s rematch. 

His side were too defensively open in that encounter and they must ensure they do not make things so easy for their opponents this time around.

That's easier said than done against a team with the quality of the USA, but Japan showed that it is possible to blunt their attack with the right tactics. 

Germany will be looking to do something similar while simultaneously providing a threat at the other end of the field. 

While we expect the USA to get past Germany without the need for extra time or penalties, it's unlikely to be a high-scoring affair. 

The stakes are high in this semi and both sides' quarter-finals featured fewer than 2.5 goals. We could see more of the same here.

The Panel Tip 2: USA Vs Germany - Under 2.5 Total Goals - Bet365 - 17/20

Brazil Vs Spain, Tuesday 8pm 

Brazil pulled off a shock in the quarter-finals, as a late goal from Gabi Portilho earned them a 1-0 victory over hosts France. 

It was not a result that many expected given the Selecao had only finished third in their group and had lost twice in the initial set of matches. 

Brazil are now through to the last four of the Olympics for a sixth time, having failed to make it this far on only two occasions.

Spain needed a last-gasp equaliser from Irene Paredes in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage to avoid a surprise defeat by Colombia last time out. 

La Roja then edged out their opponents on penalties, but it was a much closer tie than most had anticipated. Spain are world champions but their last outing showed they cannot take anything for granted.

Even so, Spain are a superior side to Brazil and they will have learned from their scare against the Colombians. 

A win by a two-goal margin should be within reach for the Spanish on Tuesday, especially as they beat Brazil 2-0 in the group stage.

The Panel Tip 3: Spain -1 To Beat Brazil - Bet365 - 7/5

Open Semi-Final Expected

Brazil managed to hold out for more than an hour of that first meeting between these two teams this summer. 

Spain only took the lead in the 67th minute and their second goal was scored extremely late on in an extended period of injury time. 

On this occasion we fancy there to be more than 2.5 goals. Brazil’s method of keeping things tight against France and hitting them with a sucker punch late on may not work against a stronger Spain side. 

If Brazil fall behind in the first half, say, they will need to come out and force the issue. That could make this a game of at least three goals.

The Panel Tip 4: Brazil Vs Spain - Over 2.5 Total Goals - Unibet - 20/21