Brazil begins defense of its Olympic title with a rematch of the 2016 gold-medal match against Germany on Thursday in the Tokyo Olympics 2021 opener for both teams in Yokohama, Japan. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in Rio de Janeiro, with Brazil prevailing in a shootout to win its first gold medal. Neymar, who scored the regulation goal in the final, isn't with the team this year, but Brazil is loaded with young talent and is expected to make a deep run at Tokyo 2021. Germany's 2016 appearance was its first in 28 years, and its players lack experience, but it is favored to advance from Group D along with Brazil.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 a.m ET. William Hill Sportsbook lists Brazil as the +105 favorite (risk $100 to win $105) on the 90-minute money line in its latest Brazil vs. Germany odds, while Germany is the +260 underdog. The over-under for total goals scored is set at 2.5. Before you lock in your Germany vs. Brazil picks or Tokyo 2020 Olympics predictions, you have to see what 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 expert soccer picks have been spot-on. Green has generated nearly $19,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season. He has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Now, Green has taken an in-depth look at Brazil vs. Germany and locked in his Olympics 2021 picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the 2021 Olympics odds and betting trends for Germany vs. Brazil:
- Brazil vs. Germany: Brazil -0.5 (+105)
- Brazil vs. Germany over-under: 2.5 goals
- Brazil vs. Germany money line: Brazil +105, Germany +260, Draw +210
- BRA: Mattheus Cunha has 18 goals in 19 matches with the youth national teams
- GER: Max Kruse has double-digit goals in seven of his past 10 club seasons
Why you should back Brazil
The Olympic squad doesn't have the firepower and flair of the senior men's national team, but it is still one of the most talented sides under the event's age restrictions. Young stars like Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, 20, and Bayer Leverkusen's Paulinho, 21, will provide excitement, while 38-year-old captain Dani Alves and veteran goalkeeper Santos, 31, bring leadership. Everton's Richarlison, 24, is expected to be one of the stars of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Richarlison has 33 goals and 11 assists over the past three seasons in the English Premier League. He also has 10 goals in 31 matches with the senior team. Martinelli has 13 starts in his 28 appearances with the Gunners but has five goals, and Mattheus Cunha has scored 13 over the past two seasons with Hertha Berlin. The back line led by Alves is expected to be stout, and Santos has compiled 39 clean sheets over his past three full seasons in Brazil's Serie A.
Why you should back Germany
The Germans should have plenty of confidence coming in after a stunning showing in 2016, and they'll want early revenge against Brazil to seize control of the group. The team is young but should play with the organization and discipline typical of the senior national team. Max Kruse is one of the three over-age players, and he is dangerous in attack. He had 11 goals with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga last season and has four in 11 matches with the senior national team.
Also typical of a German team, the defense should be tough to penetrate, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Henrichs leading an inexperienced but talented unit. Goalkeeper Florian Muller just wrapped up his first full season as a Bundesliga starter with six clean sheets for Freiburg. Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Nadiem Amiri will provide the creativity behind Kruse, and Arne Maier is among the talented players who led the Germans to the Euro U-21 title last month.
How to make Germany vs. Brazil picks
Green has taken a close look at the Brazil vs. Germany match from all sides, and he is leaning under on the goal total (2.5). He has two strong best bets and complete analysis of this Tokyo 2021 matchup, with both picks providing plus-money payouts. He's only sharing those picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Brazil vs. Germany? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Thursday's Germany vs. Brazil match, all from the soccer expert who has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the world, and find out.
