Olympics: Zambia vs. Germany – prediction, team news, lineups
Zambia Women and Germany Women will both attempt to reach the Olympic quarter-finals when they face off in Wednesday's Group B clash in Saint-Etienne.
After two rounds of matches, Zambia are sitting bottom of the group with no points, while Germany are three points better off in second position.
Match preview
Zambia are competing at their second Olympic Games after previously featuring in the group stage of the 2020 Olympics, where they mustered just one point in three matches.
Unfortunately for Zambia, they are at risk of finishing a second straight Olympics without a win, having started their 2024 campaign with consecutive defeats.
After losing 3-0 to the USA in their opener, they looked set to claim all three points in Sunday's game against Australia, establishing a 5-2 lead before the hour mark thanks to a Barbra Banda hat-trick and a Racheal Kundananji brace.
However, they went on to concede three goals in the space of 20 minutes, before Michelle Heyman netted a 90th-minute winner to snatch all three points for Australia.
The 6-5 defeat leaves Zambia bottom of the group and three points adrift of Australia and Germany, ensuring they will have to claim all three points on Wednesday to have any hope of clinching a top-two spot or one of the best third-place positions.
Germany will head into matchday three in second position with their favourable goal difference keeping them ahead of third-placed Australia, who will have to face the USA in their final group match.
Horst Hrubesch's side began their Olympic campaign with a resounding victory over Australia, with Marina Hegering, Lea Schuller and Jule Brand getting on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win.
However, Germany found themselves on the wrong end of a sizeable scoreline in Sunday's game against the USA despite the fact Giulia Gwinn pulled her side level with a 22nd-minute equaliser.
The Stars and Stripes went on to net three goals without reply to condemn Germany to a 4-1 defeat, ending a run of four consecutive victories in Olympic competition.
Although they will be favourites for Wednesday's fixture, DFB-Frauen will be wary of the fact they fell to a narrow 3-2 loss in their most recent meeting with Zambia in July 2023.
Zambia Olympic Games form: LL
Zambia form (all competitions): DLWDLL
Germany Olympic Games form: WL
Germany form (all competitions): WWLWWL
Zambia vs. Germany odds
One look at the odds for this game will tell you all you need to know about it since Germany Women enter this match as the absolute favourites, with an 88.90% win probability. Consequently, Zambia Women have a win probability of just 5.30%.
Zambia Women Odds: 18/1 – 5.30% probability
Draw Odds: 9/1 – 10.00% probability
Germany Women Odds: 1/8 – 88.90% probability
These odds make betting on Germany unappealing, but you can improve the odds if you back Germany to win after leading at half-time, which is priced at 40/85 and has a 68.00% probability. You might even consider backing Germany to win with a handicap (-1) at 1/3 odds and a 75.00% probability.
The situation with goals markets is quite similar and bookies expect a lot of goals. After all, the odds on over 2.5 total goals are 2/9, which implies an 81.80% probability. On the other hand, under 2.5 total goals is priced at 18/5 odds and 21.70% probability.
Team News
Zambia are likely to be without the services of Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya after the pair missed the defeat to Australia through injury.
Having served a one-match suspension, Pauline Zulu could return to the side to partner Lushomo Mweemba in central defence.
Kundananji and Banda will continue to offer Zambia's main goal threats after they showcased their quality in Sunday’s 11-goal thriller.
As for Germany, Hoffenheim defender Sarai Linder will hope to recover from illness to be involved in Wednesday’s matchday squad.
If passed fit, Linder will likely come into the side to feature in a back four alongside Giulia Gwinn, Kathrin Hendrich and Hegering.
Lea Schuller will be looking to continue her fine form, having scored seven goals in her last eight games for club and country.
Zambia possible starting lineup: Musole; Siamfuko, P Zulu, Mweemba, Tembo; Nachula, H Chanda, C Zulu, Kundananji; Mupopo; Banda
Germany possible starting lineup: Berger; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Linder; Brand, Minge, Nusken, Buhl; Popp, Schuller
We say: Zambia 1-3 Germany
With Banda and Kundananji in their side, Zambia possesses enough firepower to trouble the 2016 Olympic champions, but after conceding nine goals in their first two matches, we think their vulnerable defence could prove to be their downfall in Wednesday's clash with Germany.
