Olympics: New Zealand vs. France – prediction, team news, lineups
France Women will look to bounce back from Sunday's defeat to Canada when they face New Zealand Women in Wednesday's clash at the 2024 Olympics.
The Olympic hosts are sitting in second spot in Group A, while the Football Fearns are languishing at the bottom of the standings.
Match preview
Having lost their first two matches, New Zealand have significant work to do if they are to avoid a third consecutive group-stage exit at the Olympics.
The Football Fearns began their 2024 Olympic campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat, before they fell to another loss in their second group game against Colombia.
Marcela Restrepo and Leicy Santos both got on the scoresheet to condemn New Zealand to a 2-0 defeat, leaving them below Canada on goal difference and three points adrift of France and Colombia in Group A.
Despite getting off to a poor start, the Football Fearns still have an outside chance of achieving a top-two finish or one of the best third-placed spots.
However, they will have to end a six-game winless run if they are to have any chance of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time since the 2012 Olympics.
France are making their third appearance in the women's football event at the Olympics after finishing in fourth place in 2012 and reaching the quarter-finals in the 2016 tournament.
Les Bleues still have work to do if they are to reach the knockout rounds in their home competition, with Herve Renard's side sitting in second place after losing one and winning one of their first two matches.
After beginning their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Colombia, France got off to a positive start in Sunday's clash against Canada, with Marie-Antoinette Katoto netting a 42nd-minute opener.
However, Jessie Fleming pulled a goal back in the 58th minute, before Vanessa Gilles netted a dramatic winner in the 12th minute of stoppage time to condemn France to a narrow defeat.
With France looking to bounce back on Wednesday, they may be able to take confidence from the fact they cruised to a 3-0 win in their most recent meeting with New Zealand at the 2016 Olympics.
New Zealand Olympic Games form: LL
New Zealand form (all competitions): DLLDLL
France Olympic Games form: WL
France form (all competitions): WLWLWL
New Zealand vs. France odds
With a win probability of 85.70%, France Women are clearly the expected winners in this match according to the bookmakers, while New Zealand Women have a mere 5.30% win probability.
New Zealand Women Odds: 18/1 – 5.30% probability
Draw Odds: 7/1 – 12.50% probability
France Women Odds: 1/6- 85.70% probability
So, if you want to back France but you also don't like the odds, you can try backing France to win and lead at half time at 4/7 odds and a 63.60% probability.
Meanwhile, if you're interested in goals markets, over 2.5 total goals is priced at 1/2, which is the same as a 66.70% probability. On the other hand, the odds on under 2.5 total goals are 7/4, which implies a 36.40% probability.
Team News
New Zealand’s stand-in manager Michael Mayne is likely to keep faith with a back four of CJ Bott, Katie Bowen, Rebekah Stott and Mackenzie Barry.
Mayne could be tempted to freshen up his midfield with the introduction of Wellington Phoenix’s Annalie Longo.
Jacqui Hand will be hoping to retain her place in the side after being brought in to play 66 minutes against Colombia.
As for France, may be unable to call upon their all-time top goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer, who missed the defeat to Canada with an adductor injury.
The Olympic hosts could also be without goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and Wendie Renard were forced off in Sunday’s contest.
With the pair likely to miss out, Constance Picaud and Maelle Lakrar are poised to start Wednesday’s clash with New Zealand.
New Zealand possible starting lineup: Leat; Bott, Bowen, Stott, Barry; Riley, Taylor, Longo, Kitching; Clegg, Hand
France possible starting lineup: Peyraud-Magnin; De Almeida, Mbock, Lakrar, Bacha; Dali, Toletti, Geyoro; Diani, Cascarino, Katoto
We say: New Zealand 1-3 France
France would have been disappointed to lose from a winning position in Sunday's clash with Canada, but we believe they will have the extra quality required to return to winning ways in Wednesday's final group game.
