A brilliant Olympic Games continues with France vs. Egypt this Monday in the second of two semifinals. The winner of this game will meet either Morocco or Spain in the Final as they hunt for gold.
France are rightful favorites but can Egypt shock the hosts? Make sure you read our free betting picks to see our France vs. Egypt predictions and best bet.
France vs Egypt prediction and best bet
France is moving on
Match prediction
France to advance (-800)
My analysis
The second of the two semifinals for the Olympic Games takes place on Monday with France and Egypt meeting to earn a place in the Olympic Final and secure gold.
France are heavy favorites to secure the win in Lyon with Egypt’s +520 odds indicative of the challenge ahead. The Pharaohs won their group thanks to a 2-1 win over Spain, a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan, and a 0-0 tie with the Dominican Republic. They then overcame Paraguay on penalties in the quarterfinals, having tied 1-1.
Despite France’s status as favorites they’ve performed well at these Olympics. The hosts topped Group A with 3-0 wins over the USA and New Zealand and a 1-0 win over Guinea. Then they faced Argentina in a tense quarterfinal. A recent World Cup Final and some unpalatable songs from the Argentina team ensured that was a hard-fought game, which boiled over into a brawl following France’s 1-0 win.
What’s most impressive about France has been their formidable defense. They’re yet to let in a single goal through four games, despite averaging two goals scored per game. The back four of Kiliann Sildillia, Loic Bade, Castello Lukeba and Adrien Truffert have done a great job of protecting Guilaume Restes in goal and give their team a platform on which to perform.
The key to France’s attack are the two overage players, Alexandre Lacazette, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and new Bayern Munich signing Michael Olise. They offer a great mix of experience as well as guile, with the link-up of Mateta and Olise who know each other well from their years at Crystal Palace.
France have had a harder path to these semifinals and done it without even conceding a goal. In front of a sold-out home crowd, they’ll be cheered to victory and will surely secure their spot in Friday’s final.
Mateta finds the twine
My best bet
Jean-Philippe Mateta to score (+100)
My analysis
For my best bet I'm going to go back the aforementioned Jean-Philippe Mateta, where I'll be backing him to score at odds of +100.
The French striker exploded last season in his fourth season at Crystal Palace, scoring 16 goals in 35 games, with the bulk of those coming down the stretch in which he led Palace up the Premier League table. Those performances have seen him get a lot of interest from bigger clubs with reports that some teams may swoop for him after these games.
The 27-year old is a dynamic player. He’s big, tall, and very strong but has good pace and great technique. He’s really bloomed into a top striker over the past 12 months and has become integral to the way this French Olympic team play.
He’s scored two goals in France so far with those both coming in the last two games. He opened the scoring against New Zealand in their final group game and then did the same last week when he scored the decisive goal against Argentina in the fifth minute.
The Egyptian team have only conceded two goals all tournament but this French team are a step above what they’ve faced so far and Mateta is the man who can be the difference maker once again, and at +100 we’ll be backing him to score here.
France vs Egypt odds
- Spread: France -1.5 (-108) | Egypt +1.5 (-128)
- Moneyline: France -800 | Egypt +520
- Over/Under: Over 2.5 (-136) | Under 2.5 (+101)
France vs Egypt game info
| Location: | Lyon Stadium, Lyon, France |
| Date: | Monday, 8-5-2024 |
| Time: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Peacock |
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