2020 Olympic Betting Preview: Men’s Soccer

Over the next several weeks, we'll provide comprehensive betting previews for every major event ahead of the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, which will run from July 23 - August 8.

Unlike what we see on the women’s side, where the Olympics are widely considered a major international tournament, tournaments like the EUROs and even the Gold Cup take precedent in the men’s game. In its place, what we see is many of the brightest young players lace up for their country and veterans who may not have made a country’s A1 roster.

Let’s take a look at the countries that did qualify and where the odds have landed.

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Schedule of Events

• July 22-28: Pool games
• July 31: Quarterfinals
• August 3: Semifinals
• August 6-7: Medal Matches

5 Things You Absolutely Need to Know

Each roster is comprised of mostly U23 players but can now include up to 3 veteran players. Some of the most notable over the years have been Neymar (Brazil), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), and Ryan Giggs (England).

All matches are scheduled for early morning starts here in the United States, with many early on going off simultaneously, with some being shown on a delay.

Brazil won gold in the 2016 games, led by the best player in the tournament, Neymar.

Spain is the prohibitive favorite, as the roster they bring to Japan is a who’s who of English Premier League and La Liga stars.

No European country has won the tournament since 1992, Spain

The Favorites

• Spain +200
• Brazil +275
• France +450

The Live Underdogs

• Germany +800
• Argentina +800
• Japan +1400

The Longshots

• Mexico +3300
• Romania +3300
• South Korea +3300
• Ivory Coast +5000
• Egypt +6600
• Australia +20000
• South Africa +25000
• Honduras +50000
• Saudia Arabia +50000
• New Zealand +50000

Betting Picks

As much as I’d like to come with some trendy dog in this one, I can’t look away from Spain and the firepower they bring into this one. Led by Real Madrid star strikers Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos, Spain also gets a goalkeeper from the Euros in Unai Simon.

Having been U19 champions right before Covid, they are bringing in largely the same squad to this one against the largely the same competition. Add in one of the best defenders in the tournament in Dani Olmo, and I don’t see Spain stumbling in this sone.

More 2020 Olympic Betting Previews

• Women's Soccer Preview
• Women’s Basketball Preview
• Men's Basketball Preview
• Beach Volleyball Preview
• Table Tennis Preview

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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.