Brutal Group B Opens With Germany vs Australia

Result Crucial for Both Sides

Three of the best women’s soccer teams in the world are in the same group in the Olympics.

Only two of the USA, Germany and Australia can qualify directly for the knockout stage but the top two third-placed teams will also go through.

On Thursday, Germany and Australia face off in their group opener as both sides desperately look for a result.

Unfortunately, both sides have a key player out, as Sam Kerr isn’t in the Australia squad and Germany’s Lena Oberdorf just suffered an ACL/MCL injury.

As both teams look to adjust, and Germany are -155 favorites, we’ll run through the rest of the Germany vs Australia women’s Olympic soccer odds.

Head-to-Head:

• This will be the third-ever Germany vs Australia women’s Olympic soccer match. They last met in the Olympics in 2016 and the match finished in a 2-2 draw. Germany also beat Australia 3-0 in the 2000 group stage.

All-time, Germany are 3-1-1 against Australia and the Matildas’ lone win was in 2005.

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Germany in Transition Period

Germany have underperformed in recent times. At the FIFA Women’s World Cup, last year, they failed to make it out of their group for the first time in team history.

That prompted the DFB to sack Martina Voss-Tecklenburg and hire Horst Hrubesch as the interim coach.

Results have been solid under Hrubesch, as Germany are 9-1-2. After winning gold at Rio 2016, Germany failed to qualify for the Olympics in 2020 and expectations aren’t too high heading into Paris 2024.

Still, the Olympic soccer odds price them as the fourth-most likely team to win the tournament, at +1200.

That task will be much tougher with Bayern Munich midfielder Lena Oberdorf out injured. Now, Alexandra Popp has a lot more weight on her shoulders.

• The German captain has scored 67 goals in 139 appearances and is a set piece threat. Lea Schuller has also found the net 42 times in 62 caps for Germany.

While the Germans do pose an attacking threat, Hrubesch will be relying on a young midfield. Even so, 21-year old Wolfsburg midfielder Jule Brand is one to watch.

While Germany did secure third place in the UEFA Nations League in February, they suffered a concerning 3-0 loss to Iceland in Euro 2025 qualifying under two weeks ago.

This is a German team in a transition period and it’ll be interesting to see if they can raise their game.

Australia Making Do Without Kerr

Australia have done well in recent major tournaments. They finished in fourth place at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as hosts and also reached the Semifinals at Tokyo 2020 under Tony Gustavsson.

They’ll be looking for their first Olympic medal here but it certainly won’t be easy, especially without captain and striker Sam Kerr.

Kerr has dealt with unfortunate injury issues for most of her career and it’s now on others to step up. Even without Kerr, Australia do have a lot of experience, as seven players on the roster have made over 100 appearances.

With Germany, Zambia and the USA on their Olympic soccer schedule, the Matildas have little room for error.

Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mackenzie Arnold, Emily van Egmond, Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord all played a big role in Australia’s run to the World Cup Semifinals last year, though.

That continuity should serve as a big boost for the Matildas, who sit at +1600 odds to win their first Olympic gold medal.

While Australia’s record against the strongest teams in the world isn’t great, they can cause anyone problems.

Match Analysis & Odds

For this Germany vs Australia women’s Olympic soccer match, Germany are -155 favorites. Under Hrubesch, Germany have been scoring, and conceding, quite a bit.

Their 2024 matches have averaged 3.75 goals per game and five of the last six have finished with four or more goals.

• One of the best soccer bets for this game appears to be over 2.5 goals, at -130 odds. Even though a draw (+288) could benefit them, don’t expect either team to sit back and absorb pressure.

Australia are +390 underdogs for this one but we wouldn’t count them out completely. We think Oberdorf’s absence for Germany is potentially more significant than Kerr’s for Australia.

Bettors can back Australia +1 at -140 odds or Germany -1 at +110 in what’s expected to be a close match. Both teams to score is priced at -125 and this has the potential to be the most exciting opening Olympic match.

For Olympic betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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