Guinea vs New Zealand Prediction Olympic 2024

⚽ Olympic Football Games 2024 Match Preview

⏰ 24 July 2024 - 16:00 GMT +1

🏟 Stadium: Allianz Riviera (Nice)

Guinea, the last team to qualify for the Olympic football tournament, is set to begin their first men's Olympic football campaign in 56 years. They face New Zealand, who will be participating in their fourth out of the last five Olympic Games. Despite being late qualifiers, Guinea is favored to start their campaign with a win.

Guinea's coach Morlaye Cissé has selected a strong squad, including eight starters from their qualifying victory against Indonesia. The team is further strengthened by three experienced overage players in midfield: captain Naby Keïta (UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool), Abdoulaye Touré from Le Havre, and Amadou Diawara from Anderlecht.

New Zealand, dominant in Oceanian football, secured their qualification with emphatic wins over Vanuatu (8-0) and Fiji (9-0). However, they have struggled to replicate this dominance on the global stage. Their sole victory in Tokyo 2020 did propel them to their first-ever Olympic quarter-final appearance.

The OlyWhites will be led by 35-year-old defender Michael Boxall, returning to the Olympics 16 years after his last appearance in Beijing 2008. The squad also features experienced midfielders Joe Bell and Sarpreet Singh, with 12 players having senior national team experience.

Where to watch Guinea vs New Zealand?

📺 Link to watch Guinea vs New Zealand Live Stream on TV

📋Players to watch:

• Ilaix Moriba (Guinea): Scored the crucial penalty that secured Guinea's qualification.
• Alex Paulsen (New Zealand): Goalkeeper who recently set a transfer record for Wellington Phoenix with his move to Premier League club Bournemouth.

⚡Match Facts:

• Eight of Guinea U23s' last 11 matches have produced less than 2.5 total goals.
• This is Guinea's first Olympic football appearance in 56 years.
• New Zealand reached the quarter-finals for the first time in Tokyo 2020.

💡Prediction: The clash between Guinea and New Zealand promises to be an intriguing battle of contrasting styles and experiences. Guinea's blend of youthful talent and seasoned professionals in midfield could give them an edge in controlling the game's tempo. New Zealand's experience in recent Olympic tournaments and their dominant qualifying campaign suggest they won't be pushovers. Expect a tightly contested match with Guinea likely to dominate possession but potentially struggling to break down a disciplined New Zealand defense. The game could be decided by moments of individual brilliance, with Guinea's superior technical quality potentially making the difference in a low-scoring affair.

Betting Tips:

• Under 2.5 goals in the match
• Guinea to win by a 1-goal margin
• Both teams to score: No
• Ilaix Moriba to score or assist
• Draw at half-time, Guinea to win at full-time