Football Bet of the Day: Argentina to face the music at Paris Olympics

It just had to happen, didn't it? Just weeks after Argentina's post-Copa America celebrations were widely condemned - the French football federation subsequently filed a complaint with Fifa over “racist and discriminatory remarks” - the two countries have drawn each other in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament quarter-finals.

The match doubles up as my football bet of the day for Friday, August 2, with Les Bleus backed to come out on top in what looks set to be an absorbing contest at the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux (20:00).

Football Odds

France came into their home Olympics as the favourites to win the Men's Football Tournament, and their subsequent performances have more than justified that tag.

Managed by Les Bleus legend Thierry Henry, France won Group A at a canter, beating both the USA and New Zealand 3-0 either side of a 1-0 win against Guinea.

Seven goals, zero conceded - can the French be stopped?

Argentina will certainly hope so, and Javier Mascherano's side will be more confident of their chances than this time last week when they had just come off the back of a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Morocco that threatened to derail their chances of advancing to the knockouts.

La Albiceleste recovered from that disappointment to beat Iraq (3-1) and Ukraine (2-0), though they were denied top spot by the Moroccans, who finished first courtesy of a superior head-to-head record.

Nevertheless, Argentina are on the up and, at the very least, have a fighting chance of upsetting the odds on Friday.

Ex-Atalanta United star Thiago Almada, recently bought by Brazilian club Botafogo ahead of a 2025 move to French side Olympique Lyonnais, has spearheaded their revival, scoring in each of their two wins.

Mascherano also has the likes of Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, Ezequiel Fernandez and Geronimo Rulli to call on, a real mix of precocious talent and elite-level experience.

But France aren't lacking in quality themselves, with new big-money Bayern Munich signing Michael Olise pulling the strings in attack. The 22-year-old has scored once and supplied two assists already, while strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Jean-Philippe Mateta have one apiece at the tournament.

France Olympic vs Argentina Olympic Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main France Olympic vs Argentina Olympic page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Judging by Argentina's previous matches at this summer's Olympics, we can probably expect some entertainment on Friday.

There were three goals in their opening-day defeat to Morocco as, following a few hours delay, they were denied an equaliser by a VAR decision. La Albiceleste did see four goals in their next game, however, as they triumphed against Iraq, and two goals in their final match as they collected their first clean sheet against Ukraine.

Like Argentina, France have been involved in two contests that have ended with over 2.5 goals, a narrow victory over Guinea proving the exception.

With the wealth of attacking talent on show at the Malmut Atlantique, I'd be surprised if we didn't see a few goals scored on Friday, probably at least one on either side.

Ultimately, I'm backing France to do the business in Bordeaux as they have shown much more cohesion and fluency than their upcoming opponents.

Offers

Place an In-Play bet of £10 or more odds of 1/2+ on any 14:00 or 16:00 Kick-Off in The Men’s Olympic Football on Friday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on any 18:00 or 20:00 Kick-Off.

Build your own PickYourPunt bet (3/1+) of 4+ legs on France Olympic vs Argentina Olympic and get 50% of your stake back in Free Bets if it loses. (Credited within 48 hours).

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 50% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

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