The United States women's national soccer team doesn't want to leave another Olympics empty-handed, so it will be fired up to get past Australia in the women's bronze-medal match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Team USA had won four gold medals and a silver in the five Olympics since women's soccer made its debut at Atlanta 1996. But at Rio 2016, the U.S. women were ousted in the quarterfinals by Sweden. The USA and Australia were in the same group as the Swedes this time around. Both lost to Sweden before playing to a scoreless draw in the group finale to advance. Both teams also lost 1-0 in the quarterfinals, with the Americans falling on a late penalty kick against Canada and Sweden winning 1-0 in a rematch with the Matildas.
Kickoff is set for 4 a.m ET at Kashima Stadium. Caesars Sportsbook lists the USA as the -137 favorite (risk $137 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in its latest USWNT vs. Australia odds, while Australia is the +375 underdog. The over-under for total goals scored is set at 2.5. Before you make any Australia vs. USWNT picks or any 2020 Tokyo Olympics soccer predictions, you have to see what consummate soccer insider Martin Green has to say.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since then, his European soccer picks have been spot-on. Green has generated nearly $19,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season, and he has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Now, Green has taken a close look at the USWNT vs. Australia matchup and revealed his expert Olympic soccer picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the Olympics soccer odds and betting trends for Australia vs. USWNT:
- USWNT vs. Australia: United States -0.5 (-143)
- USWNT vs. Australia over-under: 2.5 goals
- USWNT vs. Australia money line: United States -137, Australia +275, Draw +240
- USA: Lynn Williams is second all-time with 55 goals in the NWSL
- AUS: Sam Kerr has scored 112 goals in 156 career club matches
Why you should back the United States
The Americans will be able to go all-out after taking a defensive approach in the previous matchup with Australia. The USWNT's 3-0 loss to the Swedes made it critical to get at least a draw with the Matildas in the group stage, so they sat back and defended. The team put its hopes on a stout defense led by Becky Sauerbrun and Tierna Davidson and stellar two-way players Crystal Dunn and Kelley O'Hara. The Aussies held 65 percent possession, but the USA had a 4-3 edge in shots on target. The Matildas have beaten the USA just once in 29 meetings (1-4-24).
Despite the lackluster performances, the USWNT has a ton of experience and talent. Mainstays Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have combined for 297 career goals, while Tobin Heath and Christen Press also can create big moments. The Americans just couldn't find the net Monday against Canada, despite dominating with 56 percent possession and a 17-5 edge in shots.
Why you should back Australia
The Aussies should still be confident despite the 1-0 loss to Sweden, which was the runner-up to Germany at Rio 2016 and thumped Team USA in the group stage. The Matildas won a thrilling game with Great Britain in the quarterfinals, with striker Sam Kerr scoring two more goals to give her five in the tournament. The Aussies also should open things up a bit more in the bronze-medal match. They face a USA defense that has yielded six goals in five games and will be without veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who injured her knee in the loss to Canada.
Kerr is among the best strikers in the world and is the top all-time scorer in the NWSL. She had 77 goals in 119 matches over seven seasons before leaving for Chelsea ahead the 2020 season. Team USA has been showing its age in this tournament, and the 27-year-old Kerr and the Maltidas should be able to exploit that. The Americans have five forwards and two defenders 32 or older, while the Aussies have just two outfield players over 31.
How to make USWNT vs. Australia picks
Green has examined the Australia vs. USWNT match from every angle, and he is leaning over on the goal total (2.5). He also has two confident best bets and complete analysis of this Tokyo 2020 matchup. He's only sharing his expert Olympics soccer picks at SportsLine.
So who wins USWNT vs. Australia in Thursday's bronze-medal match? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for the Australia vs. USWNT match, all from the soccer expert who has generated nearly $19,000 for $100 bettors over the past four seasons, and find out.
