Paris is set to welcome some of the finest athletes in the world of sports when it hosts the Olympics this July. It’s the 30th summer event, and the French capital will become just the second city to host the Olympics three times, having done so in 1900 and 1924.
The Summer Olympics presents sports bettors with a rare opportunity to bet on different major tournaments within a short span, one of which is soccer. The beautiful game is the most popular sport in the world and is one of the most celebrated events at the Olympics.
This article aims to arm bettors with accurate information about how to achieve success when they bet on soccer this summer. This sports betting education guide has been carefully curated to cater to new and seasoned bettors, focusing on understanding the different betting markets and how to diversify bets for potential winnings. Bettors will also learn how to implement the right strategies to maximize their returns and mitigate risks.
Understanding the Landscape of Olympics 2024 Soccer Betting
Betting on soccer at the Olympics is quite different compared to other major tournaments. It is good practice to understand the dynamics of this competition, from the rules to the participants, before placing bets.
While the majority of the rules are the same, here are a few things to note ahead of Paris 2024:
- Team Participation
Unlike the World Cup (32 teams) or the European Championship (24 teams), the Paris Olympics will feature 16 national teams for both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Each team has been placed in groups of four.
Group A: France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand
Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine
Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic
Group D: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel
- Tournament Structure
The soccer Olympics will begin with a group stage round, where teams in the same group will face each other once. Similar to normal soccer rules, a win earns teams three points, a draw earns one point, and a loss means zero points.
The best two teams in each group automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, and the tournament continues in a single-elimination format until the final. The winning national team will receive a gold medal, while the runners-up and third-placed teams will earn silver and bronze medals, respectively.
- Rules
For the first time ever, soccer teams will be able to make up to five substitutions at the Olympics. The adjustment from three to five subs is in compliance with the new rules set by FIFA, soccer’s governing body.
- Squad
Each national team is allowed to have up to 18 players on their roster for Paris 2024. According to Olympic rules, each team is expected to field U-23 players but may include three veterans.
Key Betting Strategies for Olympics 2024 Soccer
Having the right strategy ahead of the Summer Olympics can help you achieve success when wagering on soccer. It goes without saying that accurate information is one of the most important betting tools to have ahead of the Olympics. For example, stay up-to-date with roster news, from squad lists to injury reports, as these factors can significantly affect the performance of teams and ultimately impact the outcome of your bet.
It is also worth noting that national teams at the Olympics can only feature three players from the senior squad. This means that legends like Lionel Messi may not represent Argentina this summer, and France will likely not feature stars like Kylian Mbappe in their squad. Consequently, the FIFA rankings of each of these teams—Argentina (1) and France (2)—may not reflect their performance in Paris. Therefore, the advisable strategy is to scout emerging talents and research the depth of each team’s roster before betting.
Keeping an eye on the underdogs is another good practice. While most sportsbooks laud France as the favorites to win this summer, soccer has a well-documented history of upsets and shocking results, especially at the Olympics. Preferably, you can opt for more reliable bet types like live bets that allow you to monitor games while the action is underway. With live bets, you can predict the momentum of a team more accurately and manage risks more effectively.
Practical Tips for Diversifying Your Betting Portfolio
Allocating your betting budget across different types of bets is a great strategy that can help bettors balance risks and potential returns. For example, if you have set aside €1,000 to bet on the Summer Olympics, you can allocate 20% (€200) to futures.
A futures bet is simply a wager you place on future events, such as the team to win the Olympics or the player with the most goals at the end of the tournament. This bet type usually offers a higher payout in the long run. Thirty percent of your betting budget can go to pre-match bets, and another 40% to live bets, which are usually the safest if you know how to read the game well. Allocate the smallest portion of your budget (10%) to prop bets. Although they can be very rewarding, this bet type is quite risky, especially at the Olympics.
Bettors can make the most of reliable online services, such as TrustnBet’s Sports Gambling 101 page, for valuable information about the fundamentals of sports betting and how to better improve their betting strategies. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced bettor, visit this resource to find the latest tips and tricks.
Navigating the Betting Landscape for a Successful Paris 2024 Soccer Betting
The following tips will help you when betting on soccer this summer:
- Manage Your Bankroll
Set a budget ahead of Paris 2024 and be ready to stick to it. Always remember that soccer betting outcomes can go either way; don’t bet more than you can afford to lose.
- Utilize Statistical Data
Don’t make the mistake of betting based on emotions, intuition, or hearsay. Do your research and make predictions based on stats.
- Don’t Overestimate the Favorites
This mistake is common among bettors. Upsets are frequent in soccer, so don’t assume that the favorites will always win. Rather than going all in on the favorites, you can diversify your bets by exploring other markets.
- Don’t Stop Researching
Each team’s performance can give you a clue of what to expect as the tournament progresses. Ensure you stay up-to-date with the latest scores and individual players’ performances, and adapt this information into your betting strategy.
Having the right strategy is key to enjoying success as a bettor. Use the tips in this article to improve your potential returns and mitigate losses. You can also find a more detailed guide on how to win at the Summer Olympics on TrustnBet’s Betting 101 page.