Olympics: New Zealand vs. Colombia – prediction, team news, lineups
New Zealand Women and Colombia Women will both look to claim their first points of the Olympics when they face off at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday.
The Football Fearns lost 2-1 in their opener against Canada, while Colombia fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat to France.
Match preview
New Zealand’s build-up to their opening game was shrouded in controversy after they had a training session disrupted by a drone flown by a member of Canada’s support staff.
The incident was reported to the International Olympic Committee's integrity unit, while Canada apologised and sent home two staff members ahead of Thursday’s contest.
When the focus turned to on-the-pitch action, it was New Zealand who got off to a positive start in Saint-Etienne, with Mackenzie Barry producing a composed finish to give her country a 13th-minute lead.
However, Cloe Lacasse restored parity in first-half stoppage time, before Evelyne Viens netted a 79th-minute winner to condemn New Zealand to a narrow defeat, extending their winless run to five matches.
The Football Fearns will be desperate to produce a response in Sunday’s fixture as they bid to reach the Olympic knockout rounds for the first time since London 2012.
Colombia’s Olympic debut began with a defeat against France in a game where they threatened to produce a memorable comeback.
Angelo Marsiglia’s side experienced a disastrous first half, conceding three goals without reply to leave them with a mountain to climb against the Olympic hosts.
However, Colombia showed great character in the second period, with Catalina Usme netting a 54th-minute penalty before Manuela Pavi found the net to halve the deficit.
With momentum in their favour, Colombia continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, but their hopes of salvaging a point were ended by Mayra Ramirez’s late red card.
The world’s 22nd-ranked will now hope to claim their first win at the Olympics in Sunday’s clash, and they may be able to take confidence from the fact they recorded a 1-0 victory in the second of two friendlies they played against New Zealand in December.
New Zealand Olympic Games form: L
New Zealand form (all competitions): WDLLDL
Colombia Olympic Games form: L
Colombia Women form (all competitions): WWWLDL
New Zealand vs. Colombia odds
Despite both teams losing their matches in the first round of the Olympics, the bookies still see Colombia Women as the expected winners here with a 64.50% win probability, while New Zealand's win probability based on the odds is 15.40%.
New Zealand Women Odds: 11/2 – 15.40% probability
Draw Odds: 16/5 – 23.80% probability
Colombia Women Odds: 11/20 – 64.50% probability
Meanwhile, if you agree with the bookies and want to back Colombia, you might want to consider Colombia Women to win and lead at half-time at 11/8 odds and a 42.10% probability.
When it comes to standard goal markets, over 2.5 total goals is priced at 21/20 (48.80% probability), while under 2.5 total goals comes with 4/5 odds and a 55.60% probability.
Team News
New Zealand are unable to call upon experienced defender Ali Riley, who withdrew from the Olympics on the eve of Thursday’s opener due to injury.
Riley has been replaced in the squad by Wellington Phoenix’s Michaela Foster, while Grace Neville has been added to the alternate list.
Acting head coach Michael Mayne could be tempted to make a change to his forward line, with Jacqui Hand pushing for a starting spot for Sunday’s contest.
As for Colombia, they will be forced into at least one change, with Ramirez suspended following her late dismissal against France.
Pavi, who featured as a half-time substitute on matchday one, could replace the Chelsea forward and operate in the front three alongside Linda Caicedo and Usme.
In the defensive third, Marsiglia could keep faith with the back four of Carolina Arias, Jorelyn Carabali, Daniela Arias and Manuela Vanegas.
New Zealand possible starting lineup: Leat; Bott, Bowen, Stott, Barry; Jale, Steinmetz, Kitching, Taylor; Hand, Riley
Colombia possible starting lineup: Tapia; C Arias, Carabali, D Arias, Vanegas; Restrepo, Montoya, Santos; Pavi, Caicedo, Usme
We say: New Zealand 1-2 Colombia
Colombia will lose some of their attacking threat in Ramirez's absence, but after taking confidence from their second-half performance against France, we think they will produce a strong performance to edge out New Zealand in Sunday's contest.
