Tokyo 2020: Men's Olympic Football Odds

The outright favourite to win gold in Japan, big things are expected for a Spain squad littered with top-class European talent.

Six of La Roja’s squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 have been picked for the Spanish Olympic squad, including Eric Garcia, Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedri González. Unlike other clubs, those representing La Liga sides have been given the green light to compete in this summer’s tournament, making Spain the favourite.

Spain have only ever won the Olympic gold medal once, seeing off Poland at the Camp Nou during their home games in 1992. A team containing Abelardo Fernández, Pep Guardiola and current senior squad manager, Luis Enrique came from behind twice to win the final 3-2.

Argentina, Egypt and Australia await in the group stage for Spain, who are priced at 9/4 to go all the way and win the gold medal.

Reigning champions heading into the tournament, a Neymar inspired Brazil won their first-ever men’s football gold medal with a penalty shootout victory against a plucky Germany in 2016.

Olympic gold was the only accolade absent from the long list of Seleção honours, having slipped up against underdogs Mexico in the 2012 final four years earlier. Then Barcelona star, Neymar struck the winner in the shootout, in what was billed as redemption for Brazil’s ill-fated 2014 World Cup campaign on home soil.

Heading into this year’s competition, Neymar wasn’t granted permission by Paris Saint-Germain to compete, yet their squad is still lined with talent. Douglas Luiz enjoyed a fruitful campaign with Aston Villa and the 23-year-old is likely to spearhead the Brazil midfield, whilst rumoured Leeds United target Matheus Cunha will lead the line-up front.

A repeat of the 2016 final awaits Brazil in their first group game, before more favourable fixtures against Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia. André Jardine’s side are 3/1 to retain their title as Olympic champions in 2021.

Runners-up to Great Britain in the first-ever Olympics football final, France have won gold once and are making their first appearance in the tournament since 1996. A notable inclusion in France’s squad comes in the form of veteran striker, André-Pierre Gignac, who makes his return to international football for the first time since the Euro 2016 final.

The then 30-year-old hit the post in the last minute of normal time, before suffering a shock extra-time defeat to Portugal. Much like five years ago, France suffered a similarly disappointing European Championship campaign, this time suffering a shock defeat to Switzerland in the last 16 stage. Tough tests also lie ahead for the French Olympic team, with Les Bleus taking on hosts Japan, Mexico and South Africa in the groups.

For Gignac, the South Africa match will represent a chance for revenge, as he was dragged off at half-time in France’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Bofana Bofana at the 2010 World Cup. The 35-year-old Tigres UANL forward is part of a French side 9/2 to win gold in Japan.

Disappointed to have only taken silver at the 2016 games, Germany are back at the Olympics looking for their first-ever gold medal. Remarkably, East Germany were able to eclipse their neighbours to the West by winning the 1976 games held in Montreal.

The closest West Germany came during the era of separation came in 1988, but a team containing Jürgen Klinsmann could only manage bronze after succumbing to Brazil in the semi-finals. It was Brazil again who denied Die Mannschaft five years ago and it will be the Seleção who Germany open the 2021 groups against, with the pair amongst the favourites to triumph this year.

Comprising of a squad entirely of domestic players, Germany will be hoping standout stars like Nadiem Amiri, Max Kruse and Maximilian Arnold can inspire the European giant to glory. Should Germany progress out of the group, they’re likely to face either Spain or Argentina in the quarter-finals, making a first gold medal an unlikely but not impossible 7/1 shot.

No side competing in the tournament has won more gold medals than Argentina and La Albiceleste return to the games after a disappointing 2016 campaign.

Knocked out at the groups by Honduras on goal difference, Argentina had entered the tournament in Brazil as one of the favourites, yet ended up crashing out in embarrassing fashion. They’ll be looking to avoid a similar fate this time around, but Spain, Australia and Egypt could represent potential banana skins.

In a modest squad containing none of Argentina’s Copa America finalists, fans of the Premier League will be familiar with attacking midfielder, Alexis MacAllister. The Brighton & Hove Albion youngster has already made his debut for the senior side and is expected to feature heavily in Japan.

How far Argentina get could depend on the form of MacAllister, with the two-time Olympic champions 8/1 to make it three this summer.

By Amos Murphy